Method and apparatus for modifying pressure within a fluid dispenser

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for an automated biological reaction system is provided. In the processing of a biological reaction system, there is a need for consistently placing an amount of fluid on a slide. In order to accomplish this, several methods are used including a consistency pulse and a volume adjust means. Moreover, in order to reliably operate an automated biological reaction system, the dispenser must be reliable, easy to assemble and accurate. Among other things, in order to accomplish this, the dispense chamber is substantially in line with the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber piston is removed, and the flow of fluid through the dispenser is simplified. Further, in order to operate the automated biological reaction system more reliably, the system is designed in modular pieces with higher functions performed by a host device and the execution of the staining operations performed by remote devices. Also, to reliably catalog data which is used by the automated biological reaction system, data is loaded to a memory device, which in turn is used by the operator to update the operator&#39;s databases. The generation of the sequence of steps for the automated biological reaction device based on data loaded by the operator, including checks to determine the ability to complete the run, is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/060,602, filed Jan. 30, 2002. The application isalso a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/896,649, filed on Jun. 29, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/483,218 filed on Jan. 14, 2000, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,416,713, which is a divisional of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/995,052 filed on Dec. 19, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,759,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/909,335 filed on Aug. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,574. Thisapplication incorporates by reference all of the U.S. patentapplications listed above in their entirety. This application alsoincorporates by reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,416,713, 6,045,759 and6,093,574 in their entirety.

NOTICE REGARDING COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains mattersubject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure documentas it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files and records butotherwise retains all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to biological reaction systems, and moreparticularly relates to a method and apparatus for an automatedbiological reaction system.

B. Description of Related Art

Immunostaining and in situ DNA analysis are useful tools in histologicaldiagnosis and the study of tissue morphology. Immunostaining relies onthe specific binding affinity of antibodies with epitopes in tissuesamples, and the increasing availability of antibodies which bindspecifically with unique epitopes present only in certain types ofdiseased cellular tissue. Immunostaining requires a series of treatmentsteps conducted on a tissue section mounted on a glass slide tohighlight by selective staining certain morphological indicators ofdisease states. Typical steps include pretreatment of the tissue sectionto reduce non-specific binding, antibody treatment and incubation,enzyme labeled secondary antibody treatment and incubation, substratereaction with the enzyme to produce a fluorophore or chromophorehighlighting areas of the tissue section having epitopes binding withthe antibody, counterstaining, and the like. Each of these steps isseparated by multiple rinse steps to remove unreacted residual reagentfrom the prior step. Incubations are conducted at elevated temperatures,usually around 40° C., and the tissue must be continuously protectedfrom dehydration. In situ DNA analysis relies upon the specific bindingaffinity of probes with unique nucleotide sequences in cell or tissuesamples and similarly involves a series of process steps, with a varietyof reagents and process temperature requirements.

Automated biological reaction systems include the biological reactionapparatus and the dispensers for the reagents and other fluids used inthe biological reaction apparatus. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,595,707, inventors Copeland et al., entitled Automated BiologicalReaction Apparatus, assigned to Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. which isincorporated herein by reference, the biological reaction apparatus maybe computer controlled. However, the computer control is limited in thatit is dedicated to and resident on the biological reaction apparatus.Moreover, the memory, which is used in conjunction with the computercontrol, contains data relating to the reagents including serial number,product code (reagent type), package size (250 test), and the like.

One of the requirements in a biological reaction system is consistencyin testing. In particular, the biological reaction system should apply apredetermined amount of fluid upon the slide in order to consistentlytest each slide in the automated biological reaction apparatus.Therefore, an important focus of a biological reaction system is toconsistently and efficiently apply a predetermined amount of fluid onthe slide.

Further, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,664 entitled LiquidDispenser by inventors Krawzak et al. and assigned to Ventana MedicalSystems, Inc., which is incorporated herein by reference, reagents mustbe dispensed on the slide in precise amounts using a fluid dispenser.The fluid dispenser, which is used in conjunction with the biologicalreaction apparatus, should be easy to manufacture, reliable and compactin size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a fluid dispenserfor an automated biological reaction system is provided. The fluiddispenser has a reservoir chamber, a dispense chamber which issubstantially in line with the reservoir chamber, and a means fortransferring fluid between the dispense chamber and the reservoirchamber based on pressure differential between the dispense chamber andthe reservoir chamber.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a fluid dispenserfor an automated biological reaction system is provided. The fluiddispenser has a barrel which has a reservoir chamber and an upperportion, a cap connected to the upper portion of the barrel, a valveadjacent to the reservoir chamber, and a coupler having a dispensechamber and the coupler being coaxial with the barrel.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a fluid dispenserfor an automated biological reaction system is provided. The fluiddispenser has a barrel which has a reservoir chamber and an upperportion, a cap connected to the reservoir chamber, a valve adjacent tothe reservoir chamber, a coupler having a dispense chamber, and a ventadjacent to the cap. The vent includes a first means to maintainconstant pressure in the reservoir chamber, a second means to maintainconstant pressure in the reservoir chamber, and a space, the space beingbetween the first and second means to maintain constant pressure in thereservoir chamber.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, a fluid dispenserfor an automated biological reaction system is provided. The fluiddispenser has a barrel which has a reservoir chamber and a piston at alower portion of the barrel, a cap connected to the reservoir chamber, avalve adjacent to the reservoir chamber, and a coupler. The coupler hasa dispense chamber whereby the piston moves in the dispense chamber.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, a method of assemblyof a fluid dispenser for an automated biological reaction system isprovided. The method includes the step of inserting a valve and a valveinsert into the lower portion of a barrel. The method also includes thestep of welding the cap to the upper portion of the barrel. The methodfurther includes the step of placing the ball in the check valve ballseat. Further, the method includes the step of snapping the check valveball seat into the coupler. In addition, the method includes the step ofsnapping the coupler and barrel together.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, a method of fillingand priming a fluid dispenser for an automated biological reactionsystem is provided. The method includes the step of providing the fluiddispenser with a cap, a barrel having a reservoir chamber, the barrelbeing adjacent to the cap, a dispense chamber adjacent to the reservoirchamber, and a nozzle adjacent to the dispense chamber. The method alsoincludes the step of providing a syringe with a tip and a syringeplunger. The method further includes the step of opening the cap on thefluid dispenser. The method also includes the step of filling thereservoir chamber within the fluid dispenser with fluid. In addition,the method also includes the step of closing the cap on the fluiddispenser. Further, the method also includes the step of placing the tipof the syringe inside the nozzle of the fluid dispenser withoutrequiring the fluid dispenser be turned upside down. And, the methodalso includes the step of expanding the plunger of the syringe in orderto draw fluid from the reservoir chamber and the dispense chamber intothe syringe.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the invention, an automatedbiological reaction system is provided. The automated biologicalreaction system has a slide support carousel, drive means engaging theslide support carousel for moving the slide support carousel, aconsistency pulse application station comprising at least one nozzle fordirecting a stream of fluid onto a slide which is less than 35 degreesfrom the horizontal, and a volume adjust application station positionedabove the slide for applying a predetermined amount of fluid on theslide by dropping the fluid onto the slide.

In accordance with a eighth aspect of the invention, a method of placinga consistent amount of fluid on a slide in an automated biologicalreaction apparatus is provided. The automated biological reactionapparatus has at least one rinse station, the rinse station comprising arinse station nozzle positioned for directing a stream of fluid onto theslide and connected to tubing which is connected to at least one valve.The valve is connected to a bottle containing fluid, wherein the valvecontrols the flow of fluid from the bottle to the nozzle. The methodincludes the step of turning on the valve for supplying fluid to thenozzle and directing a stream of fluid onto the slide. The method alsoincludes the step of waiting until the pressure is substantially equalin the tubing. And, the method includes the step of turning off thevalve for supplying fluid to the nozzle.

In accordance with a ninth aspect of the invention, a method of washinga slide in an automated biological reaction apparatus is provided. Themethod includes the step of providing a rinse station comprising a firstrinse station nozzle and a second rinse station nozzle, the first andsecond rinse station nozzles positioned to direct a stream of fluid ontothe slide. The method also includes the step of directing a stream offluid onto the slide from the first rinse station nozzle with a firstmomentum for a first predetermined amount of time. In addition, themethod includes the step of directing a stream of fluid onto the slidefrom the second rinse station nozzle for a second predetermined amountof time with a second momentum. And, the method includes the step ofdirecting a stream of fluid onto the slide from the second rinse stationnozzle for a third predetermined amount of time with a third momentum,the third momentum being greater than first or second momentum, thethird predetermined amount of time being greater than the first orsecond predetermined amount of time.

In accordance with a tenth aspect of the invention, an automatedbiological reaction apparatus is provided. The automated biologicalreaction apparatus includes a slide support carousel, drive meansengaging the slide support carousel for moving the slide supportcarousel, a reagent delivery system for applying a predeterminedquantity of reagent to one of the slides by movement of the slidesupport carousel in a reagent delivery zone, a heat zone for heatingsamples on the slide support carousel, and a rinse station. The rinsestation comprises a first nozzle, a first valve connected to the firstnozzle through tubing, the first valve connected to a bottle containingfluid. The rinse station further comprises a controller, the controllercontrolling the flow of fluid from the bottle to the first nozzle viathe operation of the first valve, the controller opening the first valveuntil the pressure is substantially equal in the tubing.

In accordance with a eleventh aspect of the invention, an automatedbiological reaction system is provided. The automated biologicalreaction system includes a host device, the host device comprising aprocessor, a memory device connected to the processor, the memory deviceincluding a look-up table which contains steps for staining a slide, theprocessor creating a sequence of steps from the look-up table. Theautomated biological reaction system further includes a remote device,the remote device being physically separate from the host device, theremote device being in electrical communication with the host device.The remote device comprises a processor, a memory device connected tothe processor, a slide support carousel connected to the processor,drive means engaging the slide support carousel for moving the slidesupport carousel, the drive means connected to the processor, a reagentdelivery system for applying a predetermined quantity of reagent to oneof the slides by movement of the slide support carousel in a reagentdelivery zone, the reagent delivery system connected to the processor, aheat zone for heating samples on the slide support carousel, the heatzone connected to the processor, and a rinse station for rinsing slideson the slide support carousel, the rinse station connected to theprocessor, the remote device receiving the sequence of steps from thehost device, the remote device executing, through the processor, thesequence of steps in the processor to control the slide supportcarousel, the reagent delivery system, the heat zone and the rinsestation.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the invention, a method forgenerating a run program in an automated biological reaction system isprovide. The method includes the step of providing a host device and aremote device, the remote device being physically separate from the hostdevice, the remote device being in communication with the host device.The method also includes the step of reading by the remote device of abarcode on a slide in a carousel on the remote device. The methodfurther includes the step of reading by the remote device of a barcodeon a dispenser in the remote device. In addition, the method includesthe step of sending of the slide barcode and dispenser barcode from theremote device to the host device. Also, the method includes the step ofgenerating of a sequence of steps for a run based on the slide barcodeand dispenser barcode. Moreover, the method includes the step ofdetermining by the host device whether the remote device is capable ofexecuting the sequence of steps. And, the method includes the step ofsending by the host device of the sequence of steps to the remotedevice.

In accordance with a thirteen aspect of the invention, a memorymanagement system for an automated biological reaction apparatus isprovided. The memory management system includes a memory device, thememory device including a table containing data for a dispenser used inthe automated biological reaction apparatus. The memory managementsystem also including a means to transfer the data in the memory deviceto a host device. The host device comprises a processor, a host memorydevice connected to the processor. The host memory device includes alook-up table. The processor is connected, via the means to transfer thedata in the memory device to a host device, to the memory device, andthe processor updates the look-up table in the host memory device basedon comparisons to the table in the memory device.

In accordance with a fourteenth aspect of the invention, a method forupdating dispenser information in an automated biological reactionsystem is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a hostdevice and a memory device, the host device comprising a processor, ahost memory device connected to the processor, the host memory deviceincluding a look-up table, the memory device including barcode andexpiration date information for the dispenser used in the automatedbiological reaction apparatus. The method also includes the step ofreading by the host device of the barcode and expiration dateinformation in the memory device. In addition, the method includes thestep of updating the look-up table in the host device based on thebarcode and expiration date information in the memory device. And, themethod includes the step of writing in the memory device that thebarcode and expiration date information has previously been read.

In accordance with a fifteenth aspect of the invention, a method forprogramming a memory device for an automated biological reaction systemis provided. The method includes the step of selecting a form whichincludes information on numbers and types of dispensers in a kit for theautomated biological reaction system. The method also includes the stepof scanning in barcodes for a set of dispensers. Moreover, the methodincludes the step of determining the type of dispenser for each of thedispensers scanned in. Further, the method includes the step ofcomparing whether the numbers types of dispensers scanned in correspondto the numbers and types of dispenser in the kit form. And, the methodincludes the step of programming the memory device if the numbers typesof dispensers scanned in equal the numbers and types of dispenser in thekit form.

In accordance with a sixteenth aspect of the invention, a fluiddispenser for an automated biological reaction system is provided. Thefluid dispenser has a barrel, the barrel having a reservoir chamber andan upper portion. The fluid dispenser also has a cap connected to theupper portion of the barrel. The fluid dispenser also has a cup checkvalve, the cup check valve having a first end and a second end, the cupcheck valve adjacent to the reservoir chamber at the first end, the cupcheck valve having a cup piece at the second end. The fluid dispenserfurther has a dispense chamber adjacent to the second end of the cupcheck valve.

In accordance with a seventeenth aspect of the invention, a valve isprovided. The valve passes fluid from one side of the valve to the otherside based on a pressure differential between the one side and the otherside, whereby the valve is placed in a housing. The valve includes anattachment, the attachment piece being attached to the housing, aconnecting piece being connected to the attachment piece, and a cuppiece. The cup piece is connected to the connecting piece. The cup pieceabuts against the housing when the pressure on the one side of the valveis equal to the pressure on the other side of the valve. The cup piecedoes not abut against the housing when the pressure on the one side ofthe valve is unequal to the pressure on the other side of the valve.

In accordance with a eighteenth aspect of the invention, a method ofequilibrating pressure within a fluid dispenser is provided. The methodincludes the step of providing a fluid dispenser with a barrel having acap. The cap includes a surface with at least one hole and a valvehaving a biasing member and a hole sealer. The biasing member includesat least two positions. The also includes the step of placing thebiasing member in one of the two positions by applying a force to thevalve wherein in a first position of the biasing member, the hole sealerseals the hole and wherein in a second position, the hole sealer doesnot seal the hole.

In accordance with a nineteenth aspect of the invention, a method ofmechanically operating a valve for a fluid dispenser is provided. Thevalve of the fluid dispenser includes a head and a bulge. The methodincludes the step of abutting the bulge against a hole in the fluiddispenser to create a seal. The method also includes the step ofapplying a mechanical force to move the head so that the bulge does notabut the hole. Further, the method includes the step of reducing themechanical force so that the bulge abuts the hole.

In accordance with a twentieth aspect of the invention, a method forpassing liquid through a housing based on a pressure differential isprovided. The method includes the step of providing a valve having anattachment piece, a connecting piece being connected to the attachmentpiece, and a cup piece, the cup piece being connected to the connectingpiece. The method also including the step of abutting the cup pieceagainst the housing when the pressure on the one side of the valve isequal to the pressure on the other side of the valve. And, the methodincludes the step of flexing the cup piece inward so that the cup pieceis not abutting against the housing when the pressure on the one side ofthe valve is unequal to the pressure on the other side of the valve.

In accordance with a twenty-first aspect of the invention, a fluiddispenser for an automated biological reaction system is provided. Thefluid dispenser has a barrel having a reservoir chamber and a piston,the piston being adjacent to the reservoir chamber. The fluid dispenseralso has an extension piece connected to the piston. And, the fluiddispenser has a coupler, wherein the coupler has a dispense chamber. Thedispense chamber is adjacent to the reservoir chamber. Further, theextension piece moves inside the coupler.

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide anautomated biological reaction system which is modular in design.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automated biologicalreaction system which provides for a means of automatically downloadingdata relating to the reagents including serial numbers, reagent types,lot numbers, expiration dates, dispenser type, and the like in anefficient and reliable manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automated biologicalreaction system which consistently and efficiently applies apredetermined amount of buffer upon the slide to which a precise volumeof reagent can be added upon the slide.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser, whichis used in conjunction with the biological reaction apparatus, which isreliable.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser,which is used with a wider array of chemistries in conjunction with thebiological reaction apparatus, which is easy to manufacture.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser,which is used in conjunction with the biological reaction apparatus,which is compact in size.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a fluiddispenser which is easy to prime.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention are discussed or apparent in the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A presently preferred embodiment of the present invention is describedherein with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a left front, isometric view of the automated biologicalreaction system according to a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded right front isometric view of the system shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded left front isometric view of the systemshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded right rear isometric view of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of the modularity of the host and remotedevices of the automated biological reaction system;

FIG. 5B is a format of the addressing for the host devices and remotedevices described in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a communication transmission protocol between the host deviceand remote devices described in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is an expanded block diagram of the remote device in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6B is a circuit board connection diagram for the microcontroller;

FIG. 7A is a block diagram of the dual rinse and volume adjustcomponents of the remote device in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the dual rinse top and dual rinsebottom, volume adjust/coverslip, airknife/barcode blowoff and vortexmixers;

FIG. 8A is a side isometric view of one embodiment of the dual rinse topnozzle and dual rinse bottom nozzle as shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8B is a side view of the angle of the dual rinse top nozzle asshown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a side view of the angle of the dual rinse bottom nozzle asshown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8D is a side view of one embodiment of the volume adjust as shownin FIG. 7A;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are flow charts of the dual rinse, the consistencypulse and the volume adjust steps;

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the mounting of a fluid dispenser on areagent tray and the manner in which a reagent tray is engaged with adrive carousel;

FIG. 12A is an elevational cutaway view of a prefilled fluid dispenserin the extended position;

FIG. 12B is an elevational cutaway view of a user fillable fluiddispenser in the extended position;

FIG. 12C is an elevational cutaway view of a prefilled fluid dispenserin the compressed position;

FIG. 13A is a cutaway view of the ball chamber and nozzle;

FIGS. 13B and 13C are front and side cutaway views of the lower portionof the barrel with an extension section;

FIG. 14A is an exploded view of an elevational cutaway of a prefilledfluid dispenser;

FIG. 14B is an exploded view of an elevational cutaway of a userfillable fluid dispenser;

FIG. 15A is a side view of a prefilled fluid dispenser;

FIG. 15B is a side view of a customer fillable fluid dispenser with fliptop;

FIG. 15C is an exploded view of a prefilled fluid dispenser with anevaporation ring adjacent the cap;

FIG. 16A is a cutaway view of the cap and vent of a prefilled fluiddispenser according to one embodiment;

FIG. 16B is an underside view of the cap and vent of FIG. 1 6A;

FIG. 16C is a cutaway view of the cap and vent of a prefilled fluiddispenser with a bi-directional duckbill valve;

FIG. 16D is a cutaway view of the cap and vent of a prefilled fluiddispenser with a uni-directional duckbill valve;

FIG. 16E is a cutaway view of the cap and vent of a prefilled fluiddispenser according to another embodiment;

FIG. 16F is a perspective view of a valve arranged to operate inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16G is a perspective view of a cap of a fluid dispenser arranged tooperate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16H is a perspective view of a valve of FIG. 16F inserted into thecap of FIG. 16G;

FIG. 16I is a perspective view of a vent as shown in FIG. 16H arrangedto operate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16J is a side view of the cap of FIG. 16H inserted into a fluiddispenser arranged to operate in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 16K is a side view of one method of operating the valve of FIG. 16Farranged to operate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17A is a cutaway view of the lower portion of the barrel, duckbillcheck valve, duckbill check valve insert, quad seal, ball, ball checkvalve insert and coupler of a fluid dispenser;

FIG. 17B is a cutaway view of the lower portion of the barrel, duckbillcheck valve, duckbill check valve insert of a fluid dispenser;

FIG. 17C is a cutaway view of the quad seal of a fluid dispenser;

FIG. 18A is an alternative embodiment of a cutaway view of the lowerportion of the fluid dispenser;

FIG. 18B is an alternative embodiment of a cutaway view of the lowerportion of the fluid dispenser;

FIG. 19A is a cutaway view of a syringe with a restrictor for use in thenozzle of the coupler;

FIG. 19B is an exploded view of a syringe with a restrictor and anO-ring for use in the nozzle of the coupler;

FIG. 20 is an alternative embodiment of a cutaway view of the lowerportion of the fluid dispenser with a cup check valve;

FIG. 21A is a side view of the cup check valve;

FIG. 21B is a bottom view of the cup check valve;

FIG. 21C is a top view of the cup check valve;

FIG. 21D is a view of the cup check valve at cross-section A-A in FIG.21C;

FIG. 21E is a view of the cup check valve at cross-section B-B in FIG.21C;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of the manufacturer's system for programmingan external memory device;

FIGS. 23A and B are flow charts for updating the forms on themanufacturer's reagent database;

FIGS. 24A and B are flow charts for updating the master lot on themanufacturers reagent database and for inputting data into a memorydevice;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart for downloading data from a memory device to thehost system;

FIGS. 26A and B are flow charts for updating the memory devices of theuser through information downloaded from an external memory device;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart for determining if the kit/dispensers for use bythe operator is the correct number and correct complement;

FIGS. 28A-28G are flow charts of a preparation for a run using thedispense table; and

FIG. 29 is a flow chart of the testing run for the remote device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THEINVENTION

The automated immunostaining system of this invention performs all stepsof immunohistochemical irrespective of complexity or their order, at thetime and temperature, and in the environment needed. Specially preparedslides containing a bar code identifier and a mounted tissue section areplaced in special supports on a carousel, subjected to a preprogrammedsequence of reactions, and are removed from the carousel, ready forexamination. For purposes of clarity of the following description of theapparatus of this invention and not by way of limitation, the apparatuswill be described in terms of immunohistochemical processes.

FIG. 1 is front right isometric view of the automated biologicalreaction system with a host device 32 and one remote device 166. Theremote device 166 includes a staining module 167, bulk fluid module 230and the host device 32 includes a host computer 33, a monitor 34, akeyboard 35 and a mouse 37. FIG. 2 is a front right isometric view ofthe staining module which is part of the automated biological reactionsystem. Liquid and air supply tubing and electrical wiring connectingthe respective components are conventional, well known in the art, andare omitted from the drawings for purposes of clarity.

The apparatus has an upper section 2, intermediate section 4 and lowersection 6. In the upper section 2, reagent tray 10 which supports thereagent fluid dispensers 12 is mounted for rotation about its centralaxis 7 on reagent carousel 8. The reagent carousel 8 and slide carousel24 are circular in the preferred embodiment, but can be any shape whichallows integration with other components in the system. Reagent fluiddispensers 12, described herein with respect to FIGS. 10-21, requiredfor the immunohistochemical reactions to be conducted during slidetreatment cycle, are supported by the reagent tray 10 and mounted inreagent fluid dispenser receptors 11. These receptors 11 are configuredto receive reagent fluid dispensers 12. The receptors 11 are preferablyequally spaced in a circular pattern axially concentric with thecarousel axis 7. The number of receptors 11 provided should besufficient to accommodate the number of different reagent fluiddispensers 12 required for a cycle or series of cycles. Twenty-fivefluid dispenser receptors 11 are shown, but the number can be smaller orgreater, and the diameter of the reagent tray 10 can be increased toaccept a larger number of reagent fluid dispensers 12. The reagentcarousel 8 is rotated by the stepper motor 14 drive belt 16 to aposition placing a selected reagent fluid dispenser 12 in the reagentdeliver position under the air cylinder reagent delivery actuator over aslide to be treated with reagent.

The intermediate section 4 comprises a vortex mixing plate to which the4 of the 6 mix blocks are attached, the remaining two mix blocks beingmounted on the lower section. The lower section 6 comprises supportplate 22 upon which the slide carousel 24 is rotatably mounted. Theslide carousel 24 supports slide supports 26. Heated air is supplied tothe apparatus via a resistive heating element and a blower. The heatedair recirculates within the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3. The supportplate 22 also supports a remote device microcontroller 36 on theautomated biological reaction apparatus, power supply 24 and fluid andpneumatic valves 62. The remote device microcontroller printed circuitboard 36, as described subsequently, is generally a processor and can bereplaced by a standard computer. The remote device microcontrollerprinted circuit board 36 interfaces, via an RS-485 line, with a hostdevice 32, as described subsequently in FIGS. 5A-5C. The lower section 6includes support plate 40 upon which are supported accessories such aspower supply 42 and buffer heater 44.

In the lower section 6, the stepper motor 48 rotates the slide carousel24, engaging drive belt 25 engaging the drive sprocket of the slidecarousel 24. The annular waste liquid sump surrounds the shroud and issupported on the bottom of plate 22. The waste reagent and rinse fluidsare collected in the sump and passed to a drain through an outlet tubein the sump bottom (not shown).

Rinse and Liquid Coverslip™ (which is light oil substance used toprevent evaporation of the aqueous solutions on the slide) spray blocks60 are supplied with fluid through conventional solenoid valves 62 (seealso FIG. 6A, 248F-J). Buffer heater temperature sensor 66, mounted onbuffer heater 44, controls the heat energy supplied to the buffer heater44. Slide temperature monitoring sensor 68, mounted on support plate 22,controls the temperature of the air in the apparatus by controllingenergy supplied to annular heater elements 27. Power supply 42 providespower to the stepper motors 14, 48 and control systems. FIG. 4 is a leftfront isometric view of the bulk fluid module system 230 which isincluded in the automated biological reaction system 150. The bulk fluidmodule 230 includes an air compressor 232, a pressure relief valve (prv)238, cooling tubing 231, a water condenser and filter 234, an airpressure regulator 236, a bottle containing wash buffer 246, and abottle containing Liquid Coverslip™ 244. The air compressor 232 providescompressed air which is regulated by the pressure relief valve (prv) 238to 25 psi. The air passes from the compressor 232 through the coolingtubing and enters the condenser and filter 234. From the condenser andfilter 234, the air passes to the pressure regulator 236. The pressureregulator 236 regulates the pressure to 13 psi. The air, maintained at13 psi, is supplied to the wash buffer bottle 246 and the LiquidCoverslip™ bottle 244 and the staining module 167 (see FIG. 2). Watercondensing out of the compressed air passes out of the condenser andfilter through the pressure relief valve and exits the bulk module. Washbuffer and Liquid Coverslip™ are supplied to the staining module.

Referring to FIG. 5A, there is shown a block diagram of the automatedbiological reaction system 150. The automated biological reaction system150 is segmented into a host device 32, which includes a typicalpersonal computer, and at least one remote device 166, which includesthe automated biological reaction device in FIGS. 2 and 6A. In thepreferred embodiment, there are up to eight remote devices 166 whichcommunicate with the host device 32. Each remote device 166 on thenetwork has a unique address so that each remote device 166 may beidentified and individually controlled by the host device 32. Asdescribed subsequently in FIG. 5B, the automated biological reactionsystem 150 can support up to eight remote devices 166 due to the 3 bits(values 0-7) dedicated to the addressing of the remote devices 166. Arotary switch is provided on the remote device 166 to allow for theidentification and the changing of the 3 bit address for each remotedevice 166. All host messages include this address in them, as describedsubsequently in FIG. 5B. However, the number of remote devices 166 canbe smaller or larger than eight, depending on the capacity requirementsor practical limitations of the laboratory in terms of space. Moreover,the remote devices 166 may be immunohistochemistry staining modules,another type of instrument that performs a different type of staining,or another type of medical testing device.

Communication between the host device 32 and the remote devices 166 isaccomplished using a serial RS-485 link, which serves as a network, thatsupports one host and up to 32 remotes at one time. In the preferredembodiment, addressing of the remote devices 166 allows up to 8 remotedevices to communicate with the host at one time. The RS-485 link has atleast two pairs of lines for communication, one pair for transmittingand one pair for receiving. The remote devices 166 which are connectedto the network “hear” the host messages but do not “hear” other remotemessages. In the preferred embodiment, all communications begin with ahost message, followed a short time later by a response by a remotedevice 166 if present. If the host device 32 sends a message and thereis no remote device 166 to respond to it, the host device 32 times out.In this manner, the communication provides a simple, collision-free linkbetween the host device 32 and the remote devices 166. In an alternativeembodiment, the remote devices 166, in addition to communicating withthe host device 32, address each other. For example, the remote devices166 address each other using the unique 3 bit address, sendinginformation about staining runs, which are described subsequently.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the host device 32 is a typical personal computerwith a processor 152 which includes a comparator 154 for comparingvalues in the processor. The processor 152 is also in communication withmemory devices 156, including non-volatile memory devices such as a ROM158, volatile memory devices such as a RAM 160, and a hard disk 162. Anyof the memory devices may contain databases or look-up tables; however,in the preferred embodiment, the hard disk 162 contains the databases orlook-up tables 164. The remote device 166 includes a processor, such asa microcontroller 36 wherein the microcontroller 36 has a comparator 170for comparing values in the microcontroller 36. In an alternativeembodiment, the microcontroller 36 in the remote device 166 is replacedby a personal computer. The microcontroller 36 is manufactured by DallasSemiconductor, model number DS2251T 128K Soft microcontroller module.The microcontroller 36 has two lines (serial to PC, serial to next inst)to facilitate communication between the host and the remote devices. Asshown in FIG. 5A, the host device 32, through the processor 152, isconnected to the serial to PC pin of the microcontroller 36 of remotedevice 1 (166). The serial to next inst line of the microcontroller 36of remote device 1 (166) is connected to the serial to PC pin of remotedevice 2 (166). The connections follow similarly through remote device N(166). In the preferred embodiment, there are up to 8 remote devices onthe network. In order to terminate the network with the correctimpedance in order to avoid any pulse reflections on the network, theserial to next instrument line is connected to a terminator 171. Theterminator 171 can thereby match the impedance of the network. In theevent that one of the remote devices on the network must be removed fromthe network, the serial to PC line and the serial to next remote deviceline need only be connected to each other for the remote device 166 tobe removed from the network. Thereby, the network does not “see” thatremote device 166 and is effectively removed from the network.

Referring to FIG. 5B, there is shown a format of the addressing for thehost and remote devices 166 described in FIG. 5A. Both the host device32 and the remote devices 166 have the same format and aredistinguishable from one another only by the messages in their fields.Both the host device command and the remote device response for a givenmessage transaction contains the same message. The first character isthe start of message character. The 8^(th) bit is always set to 1, thelower 3 bits contain the address of the remote and bits 3-6 are unused.The host device 32 addresses the remote device 166 in this manner. Theaddressed remote responds in kind with its own address here.

The message length is 2 characters in length. This number indicates thenumber of characters in the entire message. This includes the start ofmessage character and the message checksum character. This is the actualnumber of characters transmitted as seen through the host/remote serialports. The message ID is one character in length. It tags a message witha number (0-255) that identifies it from other messages. The message IDprovides identification for message acknowledges from the remote andprovides safe message retry processing in the remote. The message ID isimplemented by incrementing a number until it reaches 255, andthereafter returning to 0. Each successful message transmission causesthe message ID to increment by 1. Retransmitted messages from the host,due to unsuccessful acknowledgments from the remote, are repeated withthe same message ID as the original message. The message command is 1character in length. For host messages, the message command indicates tothe remote the type of command the message command data pertains to. Forremote messages, this field is used to tell the host device 32 how therequest was received. The message command data is of variable length. Itcontains additional message data, depending on the particular hostcommand. The size of the message command data is dictated by the messagelength, described previously. After removing the other fields fromaround this field, the remainder is the message information. Sincemessage commands may not require message command data, this field maynot always be used. The message checksum is I character in length. Itcontains the computed checksum of all characters in the message,starting with the start of message character and including all messagecharacters up to, but not including, this checksum field. No message isprocessed if the message checksum does not match the actual computedchecksum of the received message.

Referring to FIG. 5C, there is shown a communication transmissionprotocol between the host device 32 and remote devices 166 described inFIG. 5A. Messages are downloaded from the host device 32 to the remotedevices 166. The host device initiates a message to send to a remotedevice (172). The host device allocates memory to hold a message 176 andloads the message into memory 178. The host device 32 then places themessage at the top or at the bottom of the queue 180, 182, depending onthe priority of the message. Since the queue is first-in-first-out, themessages at the bottom of the queue go out first. Therefore, if amessage must be sent out immediately, it is placed at the bottom of thequeue 180. Otherwise, if it is a routine status message, the message isplaced at the top of the queue 182. Thereafter, the messages are sent tothe message queues for each of the up to eight remote devices 184, 186,188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198.

Ordinarily, when a message is sent from the host device 32 to a remotedevice 166, messages are sent periodically through the use of a timer.When the host device 32 determines that a message needs to be sentrapidly 174, the timer is turned off 200 and all of the messages fromthe specific queue as indicated by the host are sent 202. If the hostdevice 32 determines that the message does not need to be rapidly sent,the message is sent in the predetermined sequence based on the timer bysending it in the predetermined sequence 206. The host uses the tabposition 204, which indicates which remote to send the message to.

Referring to FIG. 6A, there is shown an expanded block diagram of theremote device 166. As discussed previously, the remote device 166includes a microcontroller 36. The microcontroller 36 has a user switchand LEDs line which connects to the status PCB (printed circuit board)294. The status PCB 294 is the interface to the user for the remotedevice 166 and includes three LEDs (light emitting diodes) for powerdetermination, error notification and notification of a run in progress.The status PCB 294 also includes a switch 295, such as a push-buttonswitch, which is used for testing of various functions. When thepush-button switch 295 is depressed, the microcontroller 36 executes thelast set of instructions (described later as macro 0) that was enteredin the microcontroller 36. Macro 0, as described subsequently, is a listof instructions which are used to execute a staining run in the remotedevice 166. For testing purposes, operators may wish to review the laststaining run. In order to do this without requiring the operator todownload the program from the host device 32 to the remote device 166(which may be in a different location), the operator may depress thepush-button switch 295. In this manner, the operator may repeatedlyexecute the last run at the touch of a button.

The microcontroller 36 also has a slide fan out connection which is usedto control the blower fan 4. The blower fan 4 recirculates air to heatthe slides on the slide carousel 24 of the 5 remote device 166 byforcing air over the heater 302 and then over the slides. The slide tempin connection on microcontroller 36 is connected to the slidetemperature monitoring sensor 68 which senses the temperature of theair. The slide temperature monitoring sensor 68 is positioned in thepath of the heated air and thereby sends information to themicrocontroller 36 when to turn the slide heater 302 on and off. Theslide heater out connection is connected to the 10 slide heater 302which, as discussed previously, heats the air in order to elevate thetemperature of the slides. As discussed subsequently, the host device 32downloads to the remote device 166 both the sequence of steps in a runprogram, and the sensor monitoring and control logic called the runrules. One of the environmental parameters is the upper and lower limitof the air temperature of the slides (used for heating the slides). If,during a run, the environmental 1 5 temperature is below the lowerlimit, as indicated by slide temperature monitoring sensor 68, the slideheater 302 is turned on. Likewise, if the environmental temperature isabove the upper limit, as indicated by slide temperature monitoringsensor 68, the slide heater 302 is turned off.

The power supply 24 supplies both 24 VDC and 5 VDC to the applicable 24VDC and 5 VDC connections. The 24 Volt power supply 24 is used to powerthe motors 14, 48 which move the 20 slide carousel 24 and the reagentcarousel 8, and the valves 248A-J, which are described subsequently. The120 VAC input is sent through a power switch 310, a fuse 308 and afilter 306 to the AC In connection of the power supply 24. The 120 VACinput is also used to power the slide heater 302, buffer heater 44 andcompressor 232 of the bulk fluid module, which are describedsubsequently. The serial to PC line and the serial to next remote deviceline are described with reference to FIG. 5A. The tub overflow in linereceives input from a conductivity sensor 255 which senses the level ofthe waste in the tub 254. When the conductivity sensor 255 senses thatthe waste line is above a predetermined level, the conductivity sensor255 notifies the microcontroller 36, which in turn sends a statusmessage to the host device 32. The operator is first given anopportunity to clear the waste from the tub 254. If the tub 254 is stillabove the predetermined level, the run is stopped.

The buffer heater 44 is used to heat the wash buffer before it is placedon the slides since it has been determined that better results areachieved by heating the wash buffer to the temperature of the tissue onthe slide. The buffer heater 44 consists of a cast aluminum block 250with a spiral tubing 251 inside the block. When the wash buffer flowsthrough the tubing 251 through the block 250, the temperature of thewash buffer will be the temperature of the aluminum block 250 upon exitfrom the tubing 251. In order to control the temperature of the block, abuffer heater temperature sensor 66 is used which is physically placedon the aluminum block 250. The microcontroller 36 receives the buffertemperature sensor input via the buffer temp line and can therebycontrol the temperature of the buffer heater 44 by turning on and offthe buffer heater 44 via the buffer heater line on the PCBmicrocontroller 36.

The fluid valves 248A-J for the Liquid Coverslip™ and the wash bufferare controlled by the fluid valve connections. There is a separate pairof wires (power and ground) for each valve 248A-J shown in FIG. 6A whichare omitted for ease of display. Each valve 248A-J is a relay which isactivated by the microcontroller 36. The volume adjust 266, dual rinsetop 263, and two dual rinse bottom 264 devices will be describedsubsequently in FIGS. 7-9. Further, there is a slide door optical sensor258 which is input to the slide door switch in line connection and whichis used to determine if the front door 256 of the remote device 166 isopen. This sensor 258 is used for safety reasons so that, if the frontdoor is open and remains open for five minutes, the slide carousel 24does not move. Moreover, there is a second optical sensor, the upperlevel optical sensor 262, which is used to determine if the upperchassis on the remote device 166 has been opened.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the dispense cylinder 282 uses thedispense cylinder extend and the dispense cylinder retract so that thedispense plunger extends and retracts the fluid dispensers. Using airvia the system air line, the dispense cylinder 282 is pushed out byusing the dispense cylinder extend line. The microcontroller 36 controlsthe air valves 248A, 248B so that the relay corresponding to thedispense cylinder extend line is activated. In this manner, the dispensecylinder 282 pushes the fluid dispenser down, as described subsequentlyin FIGS. 12A-12C, thereby dispensing reagent. In order to retract thedispense cylinder 282, the dispense cylinder retract valve 248B isactivated using the system air line so that the fluid dispenser ispushed to retraction. Additionally, an extension spring is used to helpspeed the retraction process, as described subsequently. An opticalsensor is used to determine if the dispense is extended, and therebyactivated. When the dispense cylinder 282 is extended, the opticalsensor is tripped validating that the dispense operation has occurred.Motors 14, 48 move the slide carousel 24 and the reagent carousel 8, andare connected to the slide motor out connection and the reagent motorout connection, respectively. The motors 14, 48 are typically steppermotors.

Sensors 274, 286 are placed in proximity to the slide carousel 24 andthe reagent carousel 8 in order to determine the “home” position ofeach. In the case of the slide carousel 24, the slide carousel homesensor 274 is inductive-type and senses a piece of metal placedunderneath the slide designated as the “home” position. When the “home”position is found, the sensor 274 sends a signal to the slide home inline of the microcontroller 36. In the case of the reagent tray 10, thesensor 286 also is an inductive-type of sensor. The reagent tray 10 hasa large flat metal ring around the entire tray except for the homeposition. In this manner, when the sensor 286 senses an absence ofmetal, this is determined to be the home position thereby indicating tothe microcontroller 36, via the reagent home in connection, that thehome position is found. The sensor 286 senses the reagent tray 10,rather than the reagent carousel 8, since the user may remove thereagent tray 10. Additionally, since the sensor 286 looks for theabsence of metal for the home position, the absence of the reagent tray10 may be tested by looking for the absence of metal in two consecutivepositions.

System pressure is determined via the system air line which directlyfeeds into a transducer 290. The transducer 290 generates an analogvoltage which is proportional to the pressure. The output of thetransducer 290 is then sent to an analog to digital converter (ADC) 292whose output is sent to the microcontroller 36 via the system pressurein connection. Contrary to previous pressure switches which onlyindicated whether the pressure was below a minimum value, the transducer290 and ADC 292 combination indicates to the microcontroller 36 theexact pressure. Therefore, the microcontroller 36 can determine bothwhether the pressure is too low and too high. In either instance, themicrocontroller 36 sends an error message and shuts down the run.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the bulk fluid module 230 includes the compressor232 which pressurizes the air to up to 90 psi. The compressed air issent to a filter 234 in order to filter out water and othercontaminants. Pressure is regulated in a two-step fashion. First, thepressure is regulated at the compressor to approximately 25 psi (±1 psi)via a spring diaphram (prv) 238. The prv 238 is manufactured by Norgrenin Littleton, Colo., part number NIP-702 with a plastic bonnet. Second,the pressure is fine-tuned to 13 psi using an air pressure regulator236. The pressure regulator 236 is very accurate in terms of precisepressure regulation over long periods of time. In this manner, thecompressor 232 need not overwork itself since the prv 238 maintains thepressure at the output of the compressor to 25 psi by opening andletting out excess pressure when the pressure exceeds 25 psi. Water andparticulates, which are filtered out of the air via the filter 234, aresent to a waste receptacle. The compressed air pressurizes the LiquidCoverslip™ and wash buffer bottles 244, 246 so that when the valves248F-J are opened corresponding to the Liquid Coverslip™, volume adjust,dual rinse top, dual rinse bottom lines, the pressure is already on theline and the fluid may flow. In addition, the compressed air is used forthe dispense cylinder extend line, the dispense cylinder retract line,the mirror air cylinder line, the vortex mixers line, and the bar codeblowoff/airknife line. Filters 240 are used at the outputs of the LiquidCoverslip™ and wash buffer bottles 244, 246 in order to removeparticulates which may get caught in the valves 248.

The mirror air cylinder line is used to turn the mirror cylinder 278 sothat the bar code reader 276 either reads bar codes on the slides of theslide carousel 24 or bar codes on the fluid dispensers on the reagentcarousel 8. The output from the bar code reader 276 is input to themicrocontroller 36 via the bar code serial I/O connection. In betweenthe valve 248C for the mirror air cylinder line and the mirror cylinderis a flow restrictor 268. The flow restrictor 268 slows the flow of airin the line while still maintaining the 13 psi pressure on the line. Inthis manner, this moves the mirror slower than would otherwise be donewithout the restrictor 268.

The vortex mixers 271 likewise operate off of the 13 psi system air lineto mix the contents on the slide. The vortex mixers 271 may be used in asingle stream or in a dual stream mode. In particular, a single streamof air or a dual stream of air may be used to mix the contents on theslide. Further, restrictors 268 are used in the vortex mixers lines inorder to reduce the flow of air. In this manner, when the vortex mixers271 are used to mix the contents on the slide, the fluid does not blowoff the slide and the mixers do not dry any particular spot on theslide.

The bar code blowoff/airknife 267 is used to blow air on the portion ofthe slide which contains the bar code. In this manner, the bar code iseasier to read. Further, fluid can be kept on the slide better due tosurface tension if fluid near the edge of the slide is removed.

Referring to FIG. 6B, there is shown a circuit board connection diagramfor the microcontroller. The sensors and motors for the remote device166 plug into this board which in turn is in communication with themicrocontroller.

Referring to FIG. 7A, there is shown a block diagram of the dual rinseand volume adjust components 263, 264, 266 of the remote device 166 inFIG. 6A. A run is generally executed in a series of steps including thefollowing: reagent is applied to the slide, Liquid Coverslip™ is appliedto the slide, the reagent reacts with the tissue on the slide, adifferent reagent is applied to the slide, Liquid Coverslip™ is appliedto the slide, the different reagent reacts with the slide, etc. Afterthe reagent reacts with the slide, but before the next reagent isapplied to the slide, the excess reagent which did not react with thesample should be removed from the slide. Otherwise, there is thepossibility of having non-specific staining, or background staining, onthe slide. This non-specific staining may interfere with the visualanalysis of the slide at the end of the run. In order to minimize thenon-specific staining, the residual reagent from the previous step iswashed from the sample using a wash buffer. Washing may be achievedusing a dual rinse device which executes a dual rinse step using a dualrinse top valve 248H and a dual rinse bottom valve 248I, as shown inFIG. 7A. The microcontroller 36 controls the valves so that the washbuffer pulses the slide with the dual rinse top valve 248H and one ofthe dual rinse bottom valves 2481 or 248J consecutively. In particular,during the dual rinse step, the microcontroller 36 turns on the dualrinse top valve 248H, then one of the dual rinse bottom valves 248I or248J, and so on. As described subsequently, there are two dual rinsebottom valves 248I or 248J in order to achieve the consistency pulse.

Referring to FIG. 7B, there is shown a perspective view of the dualrinse top and dual rinse bottom, volume adjust/coverslip,airknife/barcode blowoff and vortex mixers. The configuration is in theform of a boomerang whereby the boomerang follows the curved portion ofthe slide carousel 24.

Referring to FIG. 8A, there is shown a side isometric view of oneembodiment of the wash block 312 which employs the dual rinse top nozzle263 and dual rinse bottom nozzle 264 as shown in FIG. 7A. The wash block312 comprises a lower set of nozzle outlet openings 316 corresponding tothe dual rinse bottom nozzle 264 and an upper set of nozzle outletopenings 314 corresponding to the dual rinse top nozzle 263. In thepreferred embodiment, the dual rinse bottom nozzle 264 and dual rinsetop nozzle 263 each comprise a plurality of openings. In an alternateembodiment, the dual rinse bottom nozzle 264 and dual rinse top nozzle263 each comprise a single opening. During the dual rinse step, theseopenings 314, 316 direct streams of pulsed rinsed fluid towards one orthe other of the longitudinal edges 322 of the slide 318. The streams ofthe pulsed rinsing fluid, from each of the lower and upper sets ofnozzle outlet openings 314, 316 preferably impact the slide 318 at therinse fluid impact zone 320 which is upstream on the slide 318 from thetissue sample (not shown) positioned thereon. Positioning of the washblock 312 is important due to the fragile nature of the tissue samplepositioned on the slide. By directing streams of pulsed rinsing fluid atthe impact zone 320 of the slide, the rinse fluid is provided withlaminar flow by the time the rinse fluid reaches the tissue sample. As aresult, undue damage to the fragile tissue sample is prevented.

The upper set of nozzle outlet openings 314 is constructed so that theassociated streams of rinse fluid are off-set at an angle from thelongitudinal center line of the slide so that the pulsed streams ofrinse fluid are directed toward one of the longitudinal edges of theslide 318. The lower set of nozzle openings 316 is constructed so thatthe associated streams of rinsing fluid are also off-set at an anglefrom the longitudinal center line of the slide so that the pulsedstreams of rinse fluid are directed toward the other one of thelongitudinal edges of the slide 318. As a result of this arrangement,pulsed streams of rinse fluid are alternatively and repeatedly directedto one and then the other of the longitudinal edges of the slide.

As shown in FIG. 7A, separate plumbing and valving are provided for eachof the lower and upper sets of nozzle outlet openings 314, 316 of thedual rinse top nozzle and dual rinse bottom nozzle 263, 264 to permitindependent operation thereof. In operation of the dual rinse step, thewash block 312 directs streams of pulsed rinsing fluid, for example fromthe lower set of nozzle openings 316 toward a single longitudinal edgeof the slide and after completion then directs streams of pulsed rinsefluid, for example from the upper set of nozzle openings 314, to theother longitudinal edge of the slide. This procedure is repeated, viacontrol of the valves 248H-J using the microcontroller 36, and has theeffect of rinsing the previous layer of rinse fluid and chemicals off ofthe slide. The wash block nozzle axis of each of the dual rinse topnozzle and dual rinse bottom nozzle 263, 264 forms an angle with thehorizontal of between 15 and 35 degrees, preferably substantially 35degrees for the dual rinse top nozzle 263 and substantially 25 degreesfor the dual rinse bottom nozzle 264, as described in FIGS. 8B and 8C.Moreover, the angle of the slide is substantially horizontal (0.5degrees to 1.25 degrees) so that the wash buffer both washes the excessreagents off of the slide and also flows off of the slide.

After cleaning the excess reagent off of the slide, a precise amount ofwash buffer should be applied to the slide. Ordinarily, 270 μL is theoptimal amount of buffer which should be placed on the slide for thenext step. In executing the dual rinse step, there is residual washbuffer on the slide; however, the amount of wash buffer left on theslide varies considerably. In order to consistently leave a specificamount of fluid on the slide, the microcontroller 36 executes aconsistency pulse.

The consistency pulse consistently leaves an amount of fluid on theslide with variation in amount lower than a shorter pulse, and theconsistency pulse cleans the slide of excess reagents. The consistencypulse is a pulse of wash buffer which is executed for a longer period oftime than the individual pulses of the dual rinse step. To send washbuffer onto the slide, the tubing containing the wash buffer ispressurized. Because of this pressure and because of the turning on andoff of the wash buffer valves 248H-J, there is a pressure wave effectgenerated in the wash buffer tubing (i.e., there are “reflections” witha certain frequency that travel through the tubing based on, among otherthings, the length and geometry of the tubing). Therefore, one cannotconsistently determine where one is on the wave. Because of this waveeffect, the amount of pressure that the pulse has varies so that theamount of buffer left on the slide varies as well. In order to minimizethe wave effect, the consistency pulse turns the valve on for a periodof sufficient time and/or for a sufficient strength in order to let thewave effect minimize within the tubing. This sufficient amount of timeamounts to a few periods of the frequency of the reflected wave. Sincethe reflected wave is a decaying sinusoid, after a few periods, the waveis no longer a factor in the consistency pulse. The consistency pulse istherefore an extended burst of either the dual rinse top nozzle 263 orthe dual rinse bottom nozzle 264 for a period longer than the dual rinsestep. For example, as describe in FIG. 9 in more detail below, theperiod for a pulse during the dual rinse step is 60 mSec whereas theperiod for the consistency pulse is 300 mSec.

Moreover, in order for the consistency pulse to leave a consistentamount of fluid on the slide, the momentum of the consistency pulseshould be greater than that during the dual rinse step. In the preferredembodiment, the increase in momentum of the pulse is achieved byincreasing the volume of wash buffer flow using two dual rinse bottomvalves 248I and 248J, as shown in FIG. 7, as opposed to using only onedual rinse valve 248I or 248J during the dual rinse step. In thismanner, the stream of wash buffer with an increased momentum is sentacross the slide with the result that the residual volume of buffer lefton the slide after the consistency pulse is lower and also has a lowervariation. If a pulse of lower momentum is used, more solution is lefton the slide due to interaction with the surface tension of the slide.In an alternative embodiment, the increase in volume and subsequentincrease in momentum for the consistency pulse may be achieved using avalve which has an opening which is larger than the opening of thevalves 248H-J used during the dual rinse step. The consistency pulsetherefore has a strong flow out of the nozzle, generating a laminar, notturbulent, flow on the slide. The laminar flow then washes off theslide, consistently leaving an amount of fluid on the slide. Moreover,the consistency pulse is consistent, not only from run to run on anindividual machine, but also from machine to machine as well. Therefore,machine may be interchanged without the need for recalibrating thesystem to determine the amount of buffer left on the slide.

Further, when both a consistent and a minimal amount of buffer isdesired to be left on the slide, the dual rinse bottom nozzle 264 shouldbe used rather than the dual rinse top nozzle 263. The angle of the dualrinse bottom nozzle 264 is less than the angle for the dual rinse topnozzle 263; therefore, the less steep the angle, the more likely thebuffer will flow off of the slide, not interacting with the surfacetension of the slide. For example, using a dual rinse top nozzle 263with a single valve leaves approximately 275±40 μL on the slide whereasusing a dual rinse bottom nozzle 264 with a dual valve leavesapproximately 180±20 μL on the slide.

With varying the time of the pulse, the angle of the pulse, and themomentum, the consistency pulse may be used in several ways. The firstway is for the consistency pulse to leave a minimal amount of washbuffer on the slide with minimal variation from run to run and machineto machine (180±20 μL) for any given instrument. In particular, thisvariation of ±20 μL is across all machines so that, in the event thatone machine must be replaced by a second machine, the variation is smallenough so that the amount of fluid left on the slide is withinacceptable parameters. Moreover, the variation from run to run within asingle machine is approximately ±10 μL; therefore, once the machine iscalibrated (and the amount of volume dispensed from the volume adjust,as discussed subsequently, is determined to achieve a total volume of270 μL), the fluid on the slides for a particular machine does not varysignificantly run to run.

The modification of the consistency pulse is done by using a time longerthan the individual dual step pulse, the dual rinse bottom nozzle 264,and the two valves 248I and 248J; after the consistency pulse step, therequired amount of buffer on the slide (as determined by experiment) maybe added using the volume adjust 266, which is described subsequently,with extreme precision.

Apart from using the consistency pulse to leave a minimal amount ofbuffer on the slide, the consistency pulse may be used to leave anamount greater than a minimal amount, while still having a low variationin the amount left on the slide. For example, the operator may adjustthe amount of momentum of the pulse, the duration of the pulse, theangle of the outlet nozzle with respect to the slide, and the angle ofslide with respect to horizontal. As one example, the outlet of thenozzle may be designed with an angle which is less than the angle of thedual rinse bottom nozzle. In this manner, the operator may tailor theamount left on the slide depending on the amount and variance of thebuffer necessary for the experiment.

After the consistency pulse, if additional buffer is necessary to beplaced on the slide to run the experiment, the volume adjust is used, asshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The microcontroller 36 turns on the valve 248Gfor the volume adjust line to place buffer on the slide. As describedpreviously, the volume adjust line has a restrictor 268 which reducesthe volume flow of the wash buffer through the line. This is done sothat the buffer does not disturb the tissue on the slide since theneedle of the volume adjust nozzle 388 is directly above the slide andthe wash buffer is dropped onto the slide. A precise amount of buffer isable to be placed on the slide. This is based on the amount of pressurein the wash buffer bottle, the amount of time the valve 248G for thevolume adjust line is open, and the amount of flow through therestrictor 268. Based on these parameters, the amount of volume placedon the slide may be adjusted by changing the dial nozzle which controlsthe amount of time the valve for the volume adjust line is open. In thealternative, the amount of time the valve is open may be adjusted usinga potentiometer.

In operation, the volume adjust 266 is more accurate when it is turnedon for more than 60 mSec. Operating the volume adjust 266 less than 60mSec makes the dispensing of the buffer less accurate. This is due tothe fact that the turning on and off of the valves, which is controlledby the microcontroller, is interrupt driven. There is a window ofaccuracy of approximately 10 mSec when turning on/off the valves (e.g.,if the volume adjust 266 is to be turned on for 50 mSec, the actual timein which the valve for the volume adjust is turned on is between 40 mSecand 50 mSec). Therefore, when designing a system which combines both theconsistency pulse with the volume adjust, the consistency pulse shouldleave a volume of fluid on the slide low enough so that the volumeadjust may be turned on for more than 60 mSec (which is determined to bethe minimal amount of time in which the accuracy of the volume adjust isacceptable). In order to accomplish this, the consistency pulse isdesigned to leave a minimal amount of fluid on the slide by using thedual rinse bottom nozzle 264 and the two valves 248I and 248J. Inpractice, after the consistency pulse using the dual rinse bottom nozzle264 and the two valves 248I and 248J, there is 180±20 μL. By turning onthe volume adjust for approximately 100 mSec, the volume on the slide isincreased to approximately 270 μL.

Referring to FIGS. 8B and 8C, there are shown side views of the anglesof the dual rinse top nozzle 263 and dual rinse bottom nozzle 264,respectively, as shown in FIG. 8A. Note that both FIGS. 8B and 8C arepositioned upside down for ease of reference of the angles of the nozzleopenings. The angle, as described previously, is 35 degrees from thehorizontal for the outlet of the dual rinse top nozzle (263) is 25horizontal for the outlet of the dual rinse bottom nozzle (264). Theseangles may be varied in order to modify the amount and/or variation offluid left on the slide after the consistency pulse.

Referring to FIG. 8D, there is shown a side view of one embodiment ofthe volume adjust as shown in FIG. 7A. The needle 388 of the volumeadjust is composed of a stainless steel with a 90 degree needle. Fluidtherefore goes at a downward angle and drops onto the slide, therebyallowing for greater control of the placement of the fluid. Theconnector pieces which connect the needle 388 to the acrylic block 392of the volume adjust are also composed of stainless steel. The stainlesssteel is used since it does not react with the wash buffer. At the backof the acrylic block 392 is a connector 394 which connects to the volumeadjust line of FIG. 6A. At the side of the acrylic block is a connector396 which connects to the Liquid Coverslip™ line of FIG. 6A.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a flow chart of the dual rinse, theconsistency pulse and the volume adjust steps. For the dual rinse step,one of the dual rinse bottom valves (248I or 248J) is first turned on324, the microcontroller 36 waits for 60 mSec 326, and the dual rinsebottom valve (248I or 248J) is turned off 328. The microcontroller 36then delays for 30 mSec 330. The dual rinse top valve (248H) is thenturned on 332, the microcontroller 36 waits for 60 mSec 334, and thedual rinse top valve (248H) is turned off 336. The microcontroller 36then delays for 30 mSec 338. This sequence is repeated two times 340.Then, the microcontroller 36 waits 1100 mSec 342. Then, the dual rinsetop valve (248H) is turned on 344, the microcontroller 36 waits for 60mSec 346, and the dual rinse top valve (248H) is turned off 348. Themicrocontroller 36 then delays for 30 mSec 350. One of the dual rinsebottom valves (248I or 248J) is first turned on 352, the microcontroller36 waits for 60 mSec 354, and the dual rinse bottom valve (248I or 248J)is turned off 356. The microcontroller 36 then delays for 30 mSec 358.This sequence is repeated four times 360. Then the dual rinse top valve(248H) is turned on 362, the microcontroller 36 waits for 60 mSec 364,and the dual rinse top valve (248H) is turned off 366. Themicrocontroller 36 then waits 1200 mSec 368.

In the preferred embodiment, the dual rinse step begins with abottom-top, bottom-top rinse cycle, and then a top-bottom, top-bottom,top-bottom, top-bottom rinse cycle. In this manner, the slide is cleanedbetter. This switching of the dual rinse step, starting with one set ofnozzles (in the preferred embodiment, the dual rinse bottom valve), andin the next step, starting with the other set of nozzles (in thepreferred embodiment, the dual rinse top valve), allows for quickercleaning of the slide while using less buffer. Depending on the rinsingneeds of the slides, the number of pulses (top-bottom or bottom-top) andthe amount of buffer sent in the pulses are varied. Rinsing removesexcessive reagent in the slide and the tissue, which in turn will reducethe background staining on the slide and aid in analysis of the slide.

By experimentation, 6.5 to 7.5 mL of buffer should be used in the dualrinse step. More than 7.5 mL in the dual rinse step uses an excessiveamount of buffer (i.e., one may run out of buffer during a stainingrun), and may limit the amount of dual rinse steps performed in one run.Moreover, by experimentation, the dual rinse step should end by usingthe bottom valve and bottom nozzle. This is so that, the consistencypulse, which also uses the bottom valves, is run more consistently.

For the consistency pulse step, both the dual rinse bottom valves (248Iand 248J) are turned on 370, 372, the microcontroller 36 then delays 300mSec 374, and both the dual rinse bottom valves (248I and 248J) areturned off 376, 378. For the volume adjust step, after the slidecarousel 24 is moved one position 380, the valve 248G for the volumeadjust line is turned on 382. The microcontroller 36 waits, depending onthe amount of fluid to be deposited on the slide 384. Then, the valve(248G) for the volume adjust line is turned off 386. Delays in betweenthe dual rinse step, consistency pulse step, and volume adjust step areinserted in the steps above in order to minimize the possibility ofhaving too many valves on in the system at the same time. If thisoccurs, this drops the pressure and, in turn, reduces the force of fluidof wash buffer and Liquid Coverslip™.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the manner of mounting a fluid dispenser 400in a reagent tray which is engaged in the reagent carousel 8. The foot440 is initially inserted into a circular U-shaped groove 442 formed inthe reagent tray 10. In an alternative embodiment, the foot is insertedinto a rectangular shaped groove. Groove 444 of spring member 448engages a circumferential lip 446 of the reagent tray 10. FIG. 11 showsa cross sectional view of the fluid dispenser 400 after it has beenmounted on the reagent tray 10 showing in particular the manner in whichfoot 440 fits into groove 442 and showing the flexing of spring member448 to hold the fluid dispenser 400 firmly in place. To remove the fluiddispenser 400, spring member 448 is simply bent inward slightly so thatthe groove 444 clears the lip 446, and the foot 440 is withdrawn fromgroove 442.

Referring to FIG. 12A, there is shown an elevational cutaway view of aprefilled fluid dispenser 400 in the extended position. FIG. 12B showsan elevational cutaway view of a user fillable fluid dispenser 400 inthe extended position. The main difference between the prefilled andcustomer fillable dispensers is the substitution of a flip cap 402 toreplace the snap cap 404. The fluid dispenser 400 has a reservoirchamber 410, which stores the fluid, and a dispense chamber 412, wherebythe reservoir chamber 410 is above the dispense chamber 412. Thereservoir chamber 410 is substantially in line with the dispensechamber, and in the preferred embodiment, coaxial with the dispensechamber 412.

Previous liquid dispensers had a side by side arrangement whereby thereservoir chamber was to the side of the dispense chamber. In thisconfiguration, the reservoir chamber was smaller and therefore held lessfluid. In the present invention the reservoir chamber can be enlargedthereby holding more fluid. For example, in previous dispensers, thereservoir chamber could hold approximately 27.5 mL of fluid whereas, inthe present invention, the reservoir chamber can hold approximately 34.0mL of fluid. Ordinarily, a single dispenser is rated to give 250 shots(i.e., 250 dispenses of fluid). In order to provide the 250 shots in theprevious dispensers, different types of couplers, depending on differenttypes of reagents had to be made. This was due, in part, to the limitedcapacity of the reservoir chamber and to the thickness of the fluids(some fluids dispense different amounts based on the viscosity of thefluid). Because of the increased capacity of the reservoir chamber inthe present invention, the dispenser can provide 250 shots, regardlessof the viscosity of the fluid, so that different couplers are notnecessary.

Moreover, previous fluid dispensers which included a reservoir chamber410 that was to the side of the dispense chamber 412 required aconnecting or horizontal section which connected the reservoir chamber410 with the dispense chamber 412. In addition to potential problems ofclogging of the horizontal section, the previous design was moredifficult to manufacture. In particular, the side-by-side designrequired that the molding process of the horizontal or connecting piecebe carefully controlled so that all sides of the connecting pieceinteract correctly with the reservoir chamber 410, the dispense chamber412, and the ball chamber 432 and nozzle 430. As described subsequently,the ball chamber 432 includes a ball 426 which seats in the upper partof the ball chamber 432 during a portion of the operation of the fluiddispenser 400. In previous designs, the coupler was formed via aT-shaped chamber, i.e. a horizontal chamber abutting two verticalpieces. At the intersection of the pieces, the ball seat area wasformed. In manufacturing this coupler, the consistency of the T-shapedpiece varied so that the ball seat area was, at times, difficult tomanufacture properly. In the present invention, the fluid dispenser 400requires no horizontal connecting portion between the reservoir chamber410 and the dispense chamber 412. The reservoir chamber 410 is on top ofdispense chamber 412 and, in the preferred embodiment, the reservoirchamber 410 is coaxial with the dispense chamber 412. Since the flow issubstantially in one line or vertical, the T-shaped piece is removed.Moreover, the ball seat area is replaced by a check valve ball insert424 which is a separate and smaller molded piece, and therefore can becontrolled, from a manufacturing standpoint, better than in previousdesigns.

In the preferred embodiment, the reservoir chamber 410 shape is as shownin FIGS. 12A and 12B. The reservoir shape may also be funnel-like or anyother shape which drains the fluid through the connecting means betweenthe reservoir chamber 410 and the dispense chamber 412. The connectingmeans between the reservoir chamber 410 to the dispense chamber 412 inthe preferred embodiment is a valve, such as a duckbill check valve 416which has a means to sense pressure differentials. The duckbill checkvalve is manufactured by Vernay Laboratories, Inc. in Yellow Springs,Ohio, part number X6597-E. In alternate embodiments, the connectingmeans is any device which transfers fluid in one direction (from thereservoir chamber 410 to the dispense chamber 412) and which passesfluid based on a pressure differential. This includes using an umbrellavalve or the cup check valve 792 as described in FIGS. 20-21.

Fluid is ejected from the dispense chamber 412 by exerting a downwardforce on the cap, against the force of the compression spring 418. Thisforces the barrel 408 downward until it reaches the stop 420 whichprevents the barrel 408 from further downward movement, as shown in FIG.12C. When the fluid dispenser 400 is mounted on a reagent tray 10, asdescribed in FIGS. 10 and 11, the downward force on the cap 404 isapplied by the dispense cylinder extend air line, as described in FIG.6A, or by some other means to push the barrel 408 downward. The downwardmovement of the barrel 408, including the lower portion of the barrelwhich acts as a piston, expels fluid from the dispense chamber 412.

As the spring 418 expands, the barrel 408 moves upward and the ball 426moves upward as well. Referring to FIG. 13A, there is shown a detailedview of the ball chamber 432 and nozzle 430. The coupler 428 is formedwhere a hole in the coupler is offset for ball chamber 432 so that aninner edge of nozzle 430 protrudes into the outlet of ball chamber 432.Ball chamber 432 contains a ball 426 which fits loosely against thecylindrical surface of ball chamber 432 and is free to move between anuppermost position and a lowermost position. In its uppermost position,ball 426 mates with the ball check valve insert 424, thereby preventingfluid flow in the direction from nozzle 430 to dispense chamber 412. Atits lowermost position, the ball 426 is restrained by inner edge ofnozzle 430 and prevented from falling into nozzle 430. This does notprevent fluid from flowing from ball chamber 432 to nozzle 430, however.

Using the above described structure as a basis, the operation and uniquecharacteristics of fluid dispenser 400 will now be described. At thebeginning of a dispense stroke, the fluid dispenser 400 is in thepositions shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. When fluid is to be dispensed, adownward force is applied against cap 402. This overcomes the force ofcompression spring 418 and forces the barrel 408 downward until itreaches the top of the stop 420, thereby dispensing a predeterminedvolume of liquid equal to approximately 100 μL. This is equal to theliquid volume of the area that the barrel 408 moves down minus the “suckback” (which is the amount of fluid that travels past the ball on theupstroke of the barrel 408 before the ball 426 shuts off the flow). Thefluid flows from dispense chamber 412 into ball chamber 432. Thedownward flow through ball chamber 432 forces ball 426 to its lowermostposition, abutting edge 434, but this does not prevent flow in thisdirection and the measured amount of fluid is ejected from nozzle 430.

When the barrel 408 has reached its lower extreme position, the downwardforce on cap 402 is released, by the microcontroller 36 actuating thevalve 248B for the dispense cylinder retract air line, as described inFIG. 6A, and compression spring 418 takes over, forcing barrel 408 andcap 402 in an upward direction. Fluid begins to be sucked into dispensechamber 412, which was described previously as the “suck back.”

It is here that the interplay of ball check valve insert 424 and ball426 in the ball chamber 432 is described. The ball 426 moves freelywithin ball chamber 432, and therefore provides essentially noresistance to fluid flow from nozzle 430 until it reaches its sealingposition at the ball check valve insert 424. When the dispenseroperation is completed, the fluid flow has forced ball 426 to itslowermost position, abutting edge 434. As the upward movement of thebarrel 408 begins to draw fluid back into dispense chamber 412, theupward flow of fluid in ball chamber 432 pulls ball 426 upward until itreaches ball check valve insert 424, where it cuts off any further fluidflow toward dispense chamber 412. Until ball 426 reaches the ball checkvalve insert 424, however, there is virtually no resistance to fluidflow from nozzle 430, and therefore no pressure differential is createdacross duck bill check valve 416 sufficient to cause fluid flow fromreservoir chamber 410 to dispense chamber 412.

The volume of fluid which flows from nozzle towards dispense chamber 412(“suck back”) while ball 426 is moving from its lowermost to itsuppermost position is preselected to be a volume equal to the volume ofthe hanging drop left at tip at the end of the dispense cycle. Thus, thedrip is effectively drawn back into nozzle 430 and an internal meniscusforms at tip.

When ball 426 reaches the ball check valve insert 424, it shuts offfurther flow from nozzle 430 into dispense chamber 412. This immediatelycreates a pressure differential across duckbill check valve 416 andcauses fluid to flow from reservoir chamber 410 into dispense chamber412. The suction generated in dispense chamber 412 keeps ball 426 firmlyseated against the ball check valve insert 424 and prevents any furtherflow from nozzle 430. When compression spring 418 has forced barrel 408upward, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the fluid dispenser 400 is readyfor another dispense cycle. When the pressure differential is atequilibrium, the ball 426, being made of a material slightly more densethan the liquid, falls through ball chamber 432 until it make contactagain with edge 434.

Referring to FIGS. 13B and 13C, there is shown a front and side cutawayof the lower portion of the fluid dispenser 400, respectively, in analternative embodiment of the invention wherein the ball check valveinsert 424 and ball 426 are removed. In order to retract a hanging dropfrom the edge of the nozzle 430, the piston 454 on the end of the barrel408 has an extension piece 456 connected to it. In this manner, when thebarrel 408 is raised upward, the extension piece 456 moves upward aswell, thereby retracting any drops on the edge of the nozzle 430. Inparticular, FIG. 13B shows the barrel is in the down position.

There are holes 806 where the extension piece is attached to the bottomof the piston 454. In an alternate embodiment, the piston 454 has asingle hole 806. When the piston rides down, the O-ring 810 is a tightfit with the extension piece so that the O-ring 810 travels with theextension piece. Because the O-ring 810 is not flush with the chamfer808 (which is a cone shaped), fluid in the dispense chamber can flowdown around the back side of the O-ring 810 and out through the nozzle430. A second O-ring 814 takes the place of the quad seal 422, as shownin FIGS. 14A-14B.

On the upstroke, the O-ring 810 travels with the extension piece 454,which is attached to the piston 454, until the O-ring 810 seats againstthe chamfer 808. In this manner, the extension piece 454 acts as apiston extension. The chamfer 808 is housed inside the O-ring insert 812and is fixed during movement of the piston. The O-ring insert 812 isconnected to the coupler 428. When the O-ring 810 seats in the chamfer808 (closing off any flow), there is a vacuum created in the dispensechamber 412, which creates the pressure differential to dispense fluidinto the dispense chamber 412 through the check valve 482.Simultaneously with the upstroke, the fluid travels with the extensionpiece 454, and the drop at the end of the tip of the dispenser travelswith the fluid due to surface tension. Therefore, the hanging drop ispulled back into the nozzle 430. Moreover, with the barrel 408 in the upposition, fluid does not travel through the holes 806 due to the O-ring810 seating inside the chamfer 808. In this embodiment, the ball andball check valve insert is not necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, there are shown exploded views of acutaway of a prefilled and user fillable fluid dispenser 400,respectively. Differences between the prefilled and the user fillablefluid dispensers include: (1) the snap cap 404, as shown in FIGS. 14Aand 14B; the barrel 408 being transparent in the user fillable fluiddispenser; and (3) the lack of an evaporation ring 405 in the userfillable fluid dispenser. Fluid can be filled into the reservoir througha fill hole and subsequently closed using a snap cap 404 in order toclose the system. For prefilled fluid dispensers, the snap cap 404 ispermanently attached over the fill hole after filling. The fill hole andthe snap cap 404 are matched using a luer fitting design in order to bea tight seal, as shown in FIG. 16. The user fillable fluid dispenser 400utilizes a living hinge design and luer slip design between the fillhole and the flip cap 402. The cap 406, as previously described, issonically welded to the barrel 408. The cap 406 also has a vent 460,which is described subsequently with respect to FIG. 16. The duckbillcheck valve insert 414 holds the duckbill check valve 416 in place andcreates a seal so that fluid cannot drip either from the dispensechamber 412 to the reservoir chamber 410 or from the reservoir chamber410 to the dispense chamber 412. Further, the duckbill check valveinsert 414 has a protrusion, or a nipple, which holds the duckbill to itfor ease of assembly, as shown in more detail in FIG. 17B. The duckbillcheck valve 416, which serves as a check valve, is snapped to theduckbill check valve insert 414. The duckbill check valve 416 is a oneway valve with a high cracking pressure of between 0.6 to 3.0 psi. Thisacts to hold the fluid in the reservoir chamber 410 since the crackingpressure is greater than the head pressure of fluid in the reservoirchamber 410. And, the duckbill passes fluid from the reservoir chamber410 to the dispense chamber 412 on the upstroke of the barrel 408 whilepreventing fluid to pass during the downstroke of the barrel 408. Theduckbill check valve 416 and duckbill check valve insert 414 are seatedin the lower portion of the barrel 408 as shown in FIG. 17A.

The spring 418 is a compression spring which expands and contracts basedon the movement of the barrel 408. The stop 420, as describedpreviously, stops the downward stroke of the barrel 408. The stop alsoholds the quad seal 422 in place during movement of the fluid dispenser400 and composed of polypropylene. The stop 420 is held in place basedon the compression spring 418 with the force varies based on themovement of the barrel 408. The stop 420 is held in place, in turn,keeps the quad seal 422 in place via a ledge 420A, as shown in FIG. 17C,on the stop 420. The quad seal 422 ensures that the fluid dispenser 400is always a closed system thereby keeping the fluid dispenser 400primed. The quad seal 422 is made of Viton™ rubber that is afluoroelastomer, and is distributed by Lutz Sales, in Hanover Park,Ill., part number QS-008-2799. The ball check valve insert 424 is aseparate part from the coupler 428 and is seated inside the coupler 428,being snapped into place by grooves in the chamber of the coupler 428and by being seated on a ledge 428A, as shown in FIG. 17A. The ballcheck valve insert 424 has a ball seat 424A on the inside with which toengage the ball 426 on the upstroke of the barrel 408. Previous fluiddispensers integrated the coupler with the ball check valve insert forthe ball. However, manufacturing of the coupler integrating thosefunctions was difficult due to the fact that 3 pins, at the positions of12:00, 3:00 and 6:00, had to come together and not distort the ballcheck valve insert. Therefore, processing is simplified by separatingthe ball check valve insert 424 from the coupler 428. The inner cavity432 of the ball check valve insert 424, which engages the ball 426, maythen be manufactured more easily. The ball 426 is made of borosilicate(which is a type of glass). In an alternative embodiment, a ball 426composed of rubber may be used. In certain instances, a rubber ball mayseat better in the plastic ball check valve insert 424, provided thereis no chemical interaction of the rubber ball with the reagents.

Assembly and filling of the fluid dispenser 400 is simple based on theinvention. The duckbill check valve 416 and duckbill check valve insert414 are placed in the lower part of the barrel 408. The cap 406 iswelded to the barrel. The ball 426 is placed, the ball check valveinsert 424 is snapped and then the quad seal 422 is inserted into thecoupler 428. The stop 420 and the spring 418 are inserted into thecoupler 428 and the coupler 428 is snapped on to the barrel 408. Thebarrel 408 is filled with reagent and the fluid dispenser 400 is primed.The cap 404 is placed on the top of the dispenser and the nozzle cap 458is placed on the output of the nozzle 430 on the coupler 428.

Further, the present invention allows for easier manufacture and fillingof the reagents in the fluid dispenser 400. Previous fluid dispensersrequired gluing of many pieces and sonic welding after filling thedispenser, thus requiring a certain level of skill and training. Incontrast, the fluid dispenser of the present invention requires snappingin of pieces and only the sonic welding of the vent 460 to the cap 406and the cap 406 to the barrel 408. Moreover, the filling of the reagentsin the fluid dispenser 400 is easier in the present invention. Inprevious fluid dispensers, the fluid dispenser is assembled except forthe piston, piston guide, cap and nozzle cap. The reservoir chamber isfilled with reagent. The piston and piston guide are then placed in thereservoir chamber and any leftover fluid on top of the piston isevacuated. Finally, the cap is sonically welded or screwed onto the topof the barrel 408. In the present invention, since there is no piston inthe reservoir chamber 410, there is no need to evacuate the area on topof the piston. Instead, the cap 406 is first sonically welded to thebarrel 408, and then the reagents are added to the reservoir chamber410. In this manner, there are fewer steps in the filling of thedispenser. Moreover, in the present invention, some of the moremanufacturing sensitive parts are smaller, thereby making manufacturingeasier. In the preferred embodiment, the material used is polypropylene.Under these conditions, smaller parts have a higher level of dimensionalstability. Therefore, smaller components, such as the ball check valveinsert 424 (which is, in the present invention, a separate componentfrom the coupler 428) are able to be processed more consistently.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, there are shown side views of aprefilled fluid dispenser 400 and customer fillable fluid dispenser 400,respectively. Both types of dispensers have barcode labels which areread by the barcode reader 276, as described above. In order to allowthe customer to fill the fluid dispenser 400 with reagent, the snap cap404 is replaced by a flip cap 402 which varies in two ways from the snapcap: (1) the flip cap has an attachment to the cap; and (2) the flip caphas a protrusion 402A which acts as a thumbpad to prop open the flip cap402. In previous fluid dispensers, the fluid dispenser had to beinverted in order to prime the syringe. The customer was required tofirst fill up a transfer syringe manually, push on an epindorf syringeand fill up this syringe. Then, the customer pressed this syringe intothe coupler and forced fluid from the syringe through the connectingsection between the reservoir chamber and the dispense chamber. Thecustomer had to then pump the plunger, at least 6 to 8 times, holdingthe coupler upside-down, until fluid came out of the nozzle which didnot have any bubbles. In the present invention, the customer opens theflip cap, fills the reservoir chamber 410, and closes the flip cap. Thecustomer, without turning the fluid dispenser upside down, uses atypical syringe 459, as shown in FIG. 19A, to prime the fluid dispenser400. The syringe may be manufactured by B-D Corp., in Franklin Lakes,N.J., size 20 cc, part number BC301032. The syringe 459 has a restrictor459A and an O-ring 459B. The restrictor 459A has an internal diameter ofapproximately 5 thousandths of an inch. The syringe 459 is placed insidethe nozzle 430 of the coupler 428 and the syringe plunger is expanded todraw fluid from the reservoir chamber 410 and the dispense chamber 412.To prime the fluid dispenser 400 more quickly, the barrel 408 is pusheddown, and is released simultaneously when the syringe plunger isexpanded. In this manner, there is significantly less waste of reagent.In the previous fluid dispensers, the pumping of the plunger 6-8 timeswasted reagent. In the present fluid dispenser 400, any reagent issucked into the syringe 459. Because the syringe 459 is clean, itscontents may be placed back into the reservoir chamber 410 through theflip cap 402, without waste of any reagent.

Referring to FIG. 19B, there is shown an exploded view of the syringe459 (and a syringe label 788) with a restrictor 459A and an O-ring 459Bfor use in the nozzle of the coupler. The O-ring 459B is placed on theside of the restrictor 459A that does not have the v-notch in it. Therestrictor 459A, with the O-ring 459B side down, is placed into aholding fixture 790, as shown in FIG. 19B. The syringe 459 is thenpressed onto the restrictor 459A for assembly. The restrictor 459A ismade by Airlogic, in Racine, Wis., part number F-2815-050 (color: limegreen), with a one inch orifice for the restrictor 459A. The O-ring 459Bis manufactured by Parker Co., in Lexington, Ky., part number 2-003. Therestrictor 459A fits well in the nozzle of the syringe 459 so that thesyringe 459 does not need the O-ring 459B to seat against the coupler.Because of potential differences in mold runs for the coupler 428 of thefluid dispenser 400, the O-ring 459B is used so that the restrictor 459Afits tightly against the coupler 428.

To check for a good prime, the customer may flip the dispenserupside-down, tap the dispenser, dislodging any trapped air then pressingdown on the barrel slowly to move the air bubble past the ball seat. Thecustomer may then flip the coupler right-side-up and release the barrel.Good priming occurs with approximately one drop of waste.

Referring to FIG. 15C, there is shown an exploded view of a prefilledfluid dispenser with an evaporation ring 405 adjacent to the cap. Theinteraction of the vent, the evaporation ring 405 and the cap arediscussed subsequently with respect to FIGS. 16A-E. The barcode label784 is placed on the dispenser in order to be read by the barcode reader276. The dispenser label 786 is also placed on the dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 16A, there is shown a cutaway view of the cap 406 andvent 460 of a fluid dispenser 400. The vent is the component adjacentthe top of the cap and includes the vent area 464, vent material 466,and backing 468. The vent 460 is used as a means to allow air to flowboth into and out of the reservoir chamber 410 (i.e., so that thereservoir chamber can “breathe”). The vent 460 allows for a constantpressure in the reservoir chamber and equalizes the pressure in thereservoir chamber 410 with the pressure in the atmosphere. There areseveral ways in which to construct the vent in order to maintain aconstant pressure in the reservoir chamber 410 and/or equalize thepressure in the reservoir chamber 410. In the preferred embodiment, asdiscussed more fully in subsequent figures, the vent area isapproximately 70 thousandths of an inch, with a vent material 466composed of a hydrophobic material. By experimentation, it wasdetermined that due to size of the opening, fluid in the reservoirchamber was evaporating through the vent area. In order to reduce theevaporation (i.e., have the reservoir chamber “breathe” less), anevaporation ring 405, as shown in FIGS. 15C and 16A, was inserted in theair gap formed between the snap cap 404 and the cap 406. Thisevaporation ring 405 restricts the amount of air flow across the ventarea, thereby reducing the amount of evaporation of fluid from thereservoir chamber.

In an alternative embodiment, the vent area is reduced to approximately10 thousandths of an inch, thereby reducing the amount of evaporationfrom the reservoir chamber 410. However, processing a fluid dispenserwith a reduced vent area is more difficult due to the correspondingreduced area of the vent material. In another alternative embodiment,the vent area 464 may be any area. And, the vent material may becomposed of a tighter material, thereby reducing the air flow throughthe vent material and reducing the amount of evaporation through thevent area 464. In the preferred embodiment, the vent material is 1 μm inthe size of the mesh. Reducing the size of the mesh, such as to 0.25 μm,further reduces the amount of evaporation through the vent area 464. Inanother alternative embodiment, the vent area may be any area and asection of tape is placed across the vent area. The tape contains a pinhole whereby the vent area is effectively reduced thereby reducing theamount of evaporation.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the cap 406 and snap cap 404 (or flip cap 402 foruser fillable fluid dispensers) are luer fitting design so that the cap406 and snap cap 404 portion which engage each other to seal the fillhole is conical. At the lower portion of the conical section of the snapcap 404 is a ring or a lip 462 that is used to snap the snap cap 404into place. In this manner, the snap cap 404 is pushed down until itlocks into the cap 406. The snap cap 404 has a curved section 472 thatabuts against a curved section of the cap thereby stopping the snap cap404 at that point. The snap cap 404 also engages the cap 406 to form anair space 474 that is adjacent to the vent area. This air space 474forms a ring, so that regardless of the orientation of the snap cap tothe cap, a hollow section is adjacent to the vent area 464 (which isapproximately 70 thousandths of an inch or less). Further, the outsidediameter of the snap cap 404 is slightly smaller than the inner diameterof the cap 406 so that a small air gap 476 is formed adjacent to the airspace 474 to the outside of the dispenser. The air space 474 serves as apath from the vent 460 to the outside atmosphere as well as serving as abuffer between the outside of the dispenser and the vent 460. In analternative embodiment, the air gap 476 may be used in conjunction witha notch in the side of the cap, as shown in FIG. 15C. This notch allowsmore air into the air gap 476, in the event that the greater air flow isrequired. Moreover, the notch may replace the air gap 476, so that thesole means of air flow into the air space 474 is through the notch.

The vent 460 is a hydrophobic vent which allows air to flow through thevent while keeping fluid trapped inside the reservoir chamber 410. Thevent is composed of a filter material 466 such as a teflon material witha backing to attach the vent to the cap. The vent opening or area 464,as described previously, is approximately 70 thousandths of an inch. Thepressure inside the reservoir chamber 410 is constant, even though thelevel of reagent may be changing inside the reservoir chamber 410 sinceair is allowed to flow into the reservoir chamber 410. Moreover, somereagents produce a by-product of gas (called outgassing). In the eventthat a reagent outgasses, the hydrophobic vent 460 allows gas throughthe vent 460, thereby avoiding any pressure build-up inside thereservoir chamber 410. In this manner, previous fluid dispensers thatrequired a piston to exert force on the fluid in the reservoir chamber410 may be removed. The piston in previous designs suffered from severaldrawbacks. First, certain reagents (such as proteins) may stick to thereservoir chamber, therefore preventing the piston from traveling withthe fluid in the reservoir chamber. Additionally, the interactionbetween the piston and the barrel rely on lubricants. Certain reagentsare composed, in part, of detergents and the detergents interfere withthe lubrication between the piston and the barrel. Both effectsinterfere with the performance of the fluid dispenser, thereby givinginconsistent dispensing of fluid. Further, outgassing interacts with thepiston either to increase the flow out of the reservoir chamber 410 orto create a compressible air gap between the piston and the main sectionof the reservoir chamber 410.

Also, certain types of reagents interact with the quad seal 422, causingthe quad seal 422 to break down. In order to minimize this interaction,the quad seal 422 is coated with fluorine. Fluorine reacts with theouter layer of the quad seal 422, thereby discouraging reactions withcertain types of reagents.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 15C and 16A, inside the air space 474 isan evaporation ring 405. The evaporation ring 405 is composed of lowdensity polyethylene material manufactured by Whitmark (vendor partnumber 105060), and is ⅛ inch thick. As discussed previously, the ringacts as a barrier, making it more difficult for air to pass across thevent. In this manner, the ring acts as a restrictor (of air), therebyreducing the amount of evaporation, while still allowing the reservoirchamber 410 to breathe. The ring is a closed cell foam, and isinexpensive in nature. The ring may be composed of any material or foamthat acts to restrict the air across the vent area 464. Duringmanufacture of the fluid dispenser, the ring is inserted in between thecap 406 and the snap cap 404. The ring should abut the vent area 464,thereby restricting the air flow across the vent area 464. Moreover, thering, being composed of cell foam, compresses to fill up the air section474.

Referring to FIG. 16A, there are protrusions 470 on the inside upperportion of the cap 406 which are used to align the piece of ventmaterial. The vent 460 is therefore centered on top of that upperportion of the cap 406. Referring to FIG. 16B, there is shown anunderside view of the vent 460. Included with the vent 460 is a platform468 for the vent 460, star-shaped in design, which holds the vent 460flat. When air is passing through the vent 460, particularly whenoutgassing, the vent 460 has a tendency to flex which may damage theteflon in the vent. In order to minimize flexing of the vent 460, theplatform 468 is adjacent to the vent. Therefore, the surface area of thevent may still be relatively large but still have a grid support tostabilize the vent 460 during outgassing. The platform 466 isstar-shaped due to ease of molding; however, the shape of the platformmay be any design, which supports or stabilizes the vent.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16C, the vent may besubstituted with a bi-directional valve 478 or bi-directional duckbill(or two valves or two duckbills) as another means by which to allow airto flow into and out of the reservoir chamber 410. The bi-directionalvalve 478 has a bi-directional valve insert 480 for placement of thebi-directional valve 478. The bi-directional valve 478 also has ahydrophobic layer which allows air to flow through the bi-directionalvalve 478 while keeping fluid trapped inside the reservoir chamber 410.In one direction (air flowing into the reservoir chamber 410), thebi-directional duckbill 478 has a low cracking pressure, in order toequalize the pressure in the reservoir chamber 410 when fluid isdispensed. In the second direction (air flowing out of the reservoirchamber 410), the bi-directional duckbill 478 has a high crackingpressure, in order to alleviate any pressure due to outgassing. Thebi-directional duckbill 478 allows air to flow through while keepingfluid trapped inside the reservoir chamber 410. Therefore, thebidirectional duckbill 478 allows air to flow into and out of thereservoir chamber 410 and allows for equalization of the pressure. Inpractice, a bi-directional duckbill 478 may have less refinement interms of control when compared to two uni-directional duckbills.

If additional refinement is required, the bi-directional duckbill 478may be replaced by two uni-directional duckbills, as shown in FIG. 16D.Moreover, when integrating the two uni-directional duckbills, withanother unidirectional duckbill at the bottom of the barrel, the systembecomes a three duckbill system. In this configuration, the duckbillthat releases to atmosphere has the light cracking pressure, theduckbill that allows air into the reservoir chamber has the lightcracking pressure, and the duckbill check valve 416 that is down in thebarrel has a medium cracking pressure. The duckbill check valve 416 inthe barrel should be of a higher cracking pressure than the duckbillreleasing air to the atmosphere so that pressure built up in thereservoir should be relieved through the lighter cracking pressureduckbill.

Pressure differentials caused by outflow of fluid from the reservoirchamber 410, as discussed previously, may make the dispensing of fluiddifficult. Further, in certain instances, outgassing may not interferewith the operation of the fluid dispenser 400. Therefore, the vent 460may be substituted with a uni-directional valve or duckbill 482, (madeby Vernay in Yellow Springs, Ohio, part number VL-857-101) with aduckbill valve insert 484. In the one direction (air flowing into thereservoir chamber 410), the unidirectional duckbill 482 has a lowcracking pressure to alleviate pressure due to outflow of fluid from thereservoir chamber 410. In this embodiment, vent material is not requiredsince the air is flowing only into the reservoir chamber.

In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16E, the vent opening 464 maybe reduced to approximately 10 thousandths of an inch (from 70thousandths of an inch as shown in FIG. 16A). The snap cap 404, forprefilled fluid dispensers, or the flip cap 402, for user fillable fluiddispensers, may also be modified to include a seal 488 where the snapcap 404 or flip cap 402 engages the cap 406. Thus, this alternativeembodiment does not have a gap 476 between the snap cap 404 (or flip cap402) and the cap 406, but instead includes a seal 488. In order for theflow of air into or out of the reservoir chamber 410, there is anopening 486, such as a pin hole or a second vent, placed in the top ofthe snap cap 404 (or flip cap 402) which is adjacent to the air region474 formed between the snap cap 404 and the cap 406.

In one embodiment, venting may be accomplished by using a mechanicalvalve. In one aspect, the mechanical valve comprises at least twopieces: a biasing member and a stem, the biasing member is connected orattached to the stem. In an alternate embodiment, the biasing member andstem form an integral piece. The biasing member and the stem may becomprised of the same material or the biasing member and the stem may becomprised of different materials.

In one embodiment, the mechanical valve operates such that in oneposition, a hole in the fluid dispenser is sealed, and in anotherposition, the valve does not seal the hole. In one embodiment, inoperation, the biasing member of the valve without external mechanicalforce biases the stem such that at least a portion of the stem seals thehole in the fluid dispenser. By applying a mechanical force to at leasta portion of the biasing member, the stem, which is connected to orintegral with the biasing member, moves, thereby unsealing the hole inthe fluid dispenser. Subsequently, the biasing member, without externalforce, biases the stem again such that the stem does not seal the hole.Applying mechanical force to at least a portion of the biasing membermoves the stem so that at least a portion of the stem seals the hole inthe fluid dispenser. In an alternate embodiment, the biasing memberwithout external mechanical force seals the hole in the fluid dispenserso that by applying a mechanical force, at least a portion of the holeis unsealed.

Using an elastomeric mechanical valve (and in one embodiment, anumbrella valve), the reservoir of the fluid dispenser may be sealed.However, in the embodiment where an umbrella valve is used, the umbrellavalve is not used in the normal manner as known to those skilled in theart. Umbrella valves are normally used as pressure actuated check valvesthat seal against flow in one direction and are opened by pressure inthe other direction. In the normal manner of umbrella valve usage, theouter flange of the umbrella is urged against a flat sealing surface bythe spring force of the deflected umbrella. Fluid pressure on top of theumbrella valve only tends to further seal the flange to its mating seat.The valve is opened by pressure under the umbrella pushing it away fromits mating surface, allowing fluid to pass between the flange and itsmating sealing surface.

One aspect of the invention makes a mechanical valve out of an umbrellavalve, instead of a pressure actuated valve, by using the bulge on thestem, urged against a sharp corner at the end of a hole through whichthe stem passes as a sealing point. The flange is prevented from sealingby adding slots to its mating surface. The flanged head is used as adisk spring to urge the bulge to seal against it seat, which is openedwhen the center of the umbrella is deflected downward by the dispenseractuator. The movement of the center of the umbrella downward, or atleast a portion of the umbrella downward, pushes the stem and itsassociated bulge down, uncovering the sealing area, thereby opening thevalve and venting the reservoir. An oliophobic vent may be added inseries to provide additional safety in preventing liquid from leakingout even if the mechanical vent fails.

Thus, this provides a method and apparatus to modify the pressure in afluid dispenser. This further provides a method and apparatus thatprevents a vacuum from forming in the reservoir chamber of a fluiddispenser while the liquid contained in the dispenser may be pumped out,and at the same time preventing a pressure buildup in the reservoir dueto outgassing during the pumping cycle. Moreover, the method andapparatus can prevent liquid from leaving the reservoir through aninsert vent that may be placed underneath the mechanical valve of thefluid dispenser. In addition, the method and apparatus can prevent thevapor of an evaporated reagent from leaving the reservoir chamber.Finally, this may eliminate the need for a circuitous path or the use offoam between the vent and the surroundings as has been used in the past.

Referring to FIG. 16F, an assembly of a valve 1000 is shown arranged tooperate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thevalve may take a variety of forms such as an umbrella shape, as shown inFIG. 16F, or any other shape consistent with the operations of themechanical valve. Examples of other forms consistent with the operationsof the mechanical valve include, but are not limited to: a springmechanism, or an elastomeric mechanism. The valve 1000 may have a stemwith two portions, either being an integral piece or a series of pieces.The upper portion 1002 of the stem may connect to the head 1008 of thevalve 1000. The head 1008 may be a flanged head as shown in FIG. 16F.Other forms may include a flat surface, or a non-circular head.

The upper portion 1002 of the stem may be connected to the lower portion1004 of the stem by a bulge 1006. The lower portion 1004 of the stem mayextend below the bulge 1006. The upper portion 1002 of the stem and thelower portion 1004 of the stem may not be the same size, shape, orlength. In a preferred embodiment, at least a section of the upperportion 1002 and lower portion 1004 of the stem of the valve 1000 may becylindrical in shape. The valve 1000 may be entirely made of anelastomeric material with each component interconnected. In anotherembodiment, at least one of the bulge 1006 or the head 1008 arecomprised of an elastomeric material.

In one embodiment, the head 1008 of the valve 1000 may act as a springforce. The head 1008 may be capable of being deflected and re-formed fora purpose of applying a force to the stem portion of the valve 1000. Thehead 1008 may be comprised of a curved surface. In another embodiment,the head 1008 may have an umbrella shape. The underside of the head 1008may be comprised of an open space to allow for the deflection of thehead 1008. An annular portion 1009 may exist on the underside of head1008 at the upper end of stem 1002 that acts as a stop for motion ofhead 1008. The head 1008 may be deflected by pressing down on the top ofthe head 1008. In a preferred embodiment, the head 1008 may be deflectedby pressing down on a center portion of the head 1008. Furthermore, thehead 1008 may be deflected by pressing down on the uppermost portion ofthe head, although those skilled in the art will recognize that the head1008 may be depressed by applying a force onto any portion of the head1008. An outer perimeter portion 1010 of the underside of the head 1008may be substantially flat in order to contact a surface.

The bulge 1006 of the valve 1000 may be of a spherical shape. Otherforms may include an oblong shape or an elliptical shape. In oneembodiment, the bulge 1006, the upper portion 1002 of the stem, and thelower portion 1004 of the stem may be one integral piece. In anotherembodiment, the bulge 1006 may be a separate piece of the valve 1000connected to the upper portion 1002 and the lower portion 1004 of thestem. In one embodiment, the bulge 1006 may have a larger diameter thanthe upper portion 1002 of the stem. In another embodiment, the bulge1006 may have a larger diameter than the lower portion 1004 of the stem.At least a section of the lower portion 1004 of the stem may have adiameter that decreases in distance from the bulge 1006. This may allowfor the valve 1000 to be easily placed into holes or small areas sinceat least a section of the lower portion 1004 of the stem may have aconical shape.

Referring to FIG. 16G, a cap 2000 of a fluid dispenser is shown arrangedto operate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.The cap 2000 may be mounted on top or on the side of a fluid dispenser.The cap 2000 may have a sealing surface 2016 which may seal the cap 2000with the fluid dispenser. The cap may be comprised of a plasticmaterial, or another rigid material. The sealing surface 2016 may have aridge 2017 which may fit tightly into the fluid dispenser. A hole 2004may be present in the cap 2000. The hole 2004 may be placed at anyposition on the cap 2000. In the preferred embodiment, the hole 2004 isplaced in the center of the cap 2000. The bottom corner 2010 of the hole2004 should preferably have a small radius (e.g., 0.002 inch), so thatthe bottom corner 2010 is sharp.

The cap 2000 may have a surface 2002 that mates with the head 1008 ofthe valve 1000. The surface 2002 may be raised from the hole 2004 by asmall amount in order to provide an area for the head 1008 of themechanical valve 1000 to be deflected into, as discussed above. Thesurface 2002 may have cuts, such as cut 2008, breaks, or passageways forair through the surface 2002 so that gas and/or vapor may always passunderneath the head 1008 of the valve 1000. The cuts may act as breaksor trenches for air. Moreover, the cuts may be of any shape and any sizelarge enough to allow air to pass through. The cuts may be positioned inorder to always allow air to pass through, even when valve 1000 isinserted into the cap 2000. Air may only pass through the hole 2004, andsubsequently through the breaks or cut 2008, when the valve 1000 isdepressed or open.

A small protective ridge 2006 may surround the surface 2002 and the head1008 of the valve 1000. The protective ridge 2006 may be raised from thesurface 2002 of the cap 2000. The protective ridge 2006 may provide anouter perimeter for the head 1008 of the valve 1000 to be placed. Theprotective ridge 2006 may be raised an amount equal to the thickness ofan outer edge 1005 of the valve in order to provide a secure housing forplacement of the valve 1000. The cut 2008 may pass through theprotective ridge 2006 in order to allow for a passageway for air.

An inner circular wall 2012 and an outer circular wall 2014 may mate toan insert vent 4000, as will be described later. The inner circular wall2012 and the outer circular wall 2014 may extend below the hole 2004 ofthe cap 2000. The inner circular wall 2012 and the outer circular wall2014 may be thin and may be separated by a distance substantially equalto the thickness of the insert vent 4000 housing. The outer circularwall 2012 may extend directly below the protective ridge 2006 of the cap2000. The inner circular wall 2012 and the outer circular wall 2014 mayhave a length substantially equal to the length of the stem of themechanical valve 1000. The outer circular wall 2014 and the innercircular wall 2012 may be comprised of the same material as the cap 2000of the fluid dispenser. Alternatively, the outer circular wall 2014 andthe inner circular wall 2012 may be comprised of a different materialthan the cap 2000.

In one embodiment, the cap 2000 may contain a fastener member 2018 oneach side of the cap 2000. In a preferred embodiment, two fastenermembers 2018 are placed on the cap 2000, but those skilled in the artwill recognize that any desired number of fastener members 2018 may bepresent. The fastener member(s) 2018 may be placed directly across fromone another. The fastener member(s) 2018 may hold the cap 2000 in placeon the fluid dispenser. The fastener member(s) 2018 may be shaped toallow the cap 2000 to slide into the fluid dispenser and click intoplace, but not slide out. The fastener member(s) 2018 may have a smoothsurface which allows the cap 2000 to slide into the fluid dispenser. Thefastener member(s) 2018 may lock onto a ridge of the fluid dispenserupon placement of the cap 2000 into the fluid dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 16H, a cap 2000 with the valve 1000 installed isillustrated arranged to operate in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. The bulge 1006 on the stem of the valve 1000 may matewith the bottom corner 2010 of the hole 2004. The bulge 1006 may beurged against the bottom corner 2010 of the hole 2004 to form a seal tothe hole 2004 by the spring tension of the head 1008 of the valve 1000.The force from the head 1008 of the valve 1000 may be transmitted to thebulge 1006 by the upper portion 1002 of the stem. The upper portion 1002of the stem may pass through the hole 2004 in the cap 2000. The hole2004 may be slightly larger than the diameter of the stem, so that vaporor gas may pass through the hole 2004 if the bulge 1006 is not sealedagainst the hole 2004. The bulge 1006 may be slightly larger than thehole 2004, so that the bulge 1006 may seal to the bottom corner 2010 ofthe hole 2004.

In one embodiment, upon urging the bulge 1006 against the bottom corner2010 of the hole 2004, the bulge 1006 may form a seal that prevents gas,vapor and/or liquid from exiting a reservoir chamber of the fluiddispenser. The bulge 1006 may be biased by a biasing member, such ashead 1008, used to seal the hole 2004 of the cap 2000. The bulge 1006may become compressed upon urging the bulge 1006 against the bottomcorner 2010 of the hole 2004. This may occur because the bulge 1006 maybe comprised of an elastomeric material. If the pressure in thereservoir increases so that the pressure is higher than the surroundingatmosphere, the pressure may cause the bulge 1006 to seal more tightlythan before. As shown in FIG. 16H, an o-ring 3000 may be provided to aidin the sealing of the cap 2000 to the fluid dispenser. The o-ring 3000may be comprised of an elastomeric material in order to allow for thecap 2000 to tightly fit into the fluid dispenser. The o-ring may 3000may become compressed upon inserting the cap 2000 into a fluiddispenser.

As shown in FIG. 16H, an insert vent 4000 may be placed underneath thevalve 1000. The housing of insert vent 4000 may fit between the innercircular wall 2012 and the outer circular wall 2014. Specifically, thehousing of the insert vent 4000 may slide between the inner circularwall 2012 and the outer circular wall 2014 and fit tightly to disallowair, vapor, or liquid to pass through the vent. The insert vent 4000 maybe any shape, preferably of a circular shape to conform to the shape ofthe cap 2000 for the fluid dispenser. The insert vent 4000 may be placedunderneath the valve 1000 at a distance great enough to allow for anopen space between the insert vent 4000 and the valve 1000. The insertvent 4000 may also contain an oliophobic vent 4004 in the center of theinsert vent 4000 as an added safety feature.

Referring to FIG. 16I, an insert vent 4000 is shown in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. An exemplary insert vent foundsuitable for use in the cap 2000 of the fluid dispenser is one made andsold by W.L. Gore & Associates, and having model number D10, althoughthose skilled in the art will recognize that any insert vent withsimilar characteristics would also be suitable. The insert vent 4000 mayhave an oliophobic vent 4004 attached to one end. The oliophobic vent4004 does not allow liquid to pass through. The oliophobic vent 4004 mayconnect to a plastic cylinder 4002. The oliophobic vent 4004 may beplaced on one end of the housing of the insert vent 4000. The insertvent 4000 may mate to an inner circular wall 2012 and an outer circularwall 2014 of the cap 2000 as shown in FIG. 16H. The inner circular wall2012 and the outer circular wall 2014 may allow the insert vent 4000 tofit tightly into the cap 2000. The insert vent 4000 may act as an addedsafety feature for the venting of the fluid dispenser, or as an addedliquid barrier for the cap 2000 of the fluid dispenser. The insert vent4000 may allow air to pass through in order to modify the pressure inthe reservoir chamber of the fluid dispenser, but the insert vent 4000may not allow liquid to pass through thereby creating a liquid barrier.

Referring to FIG. 16J, a side view of the valve 1000 inserted into thecap 2000 is illustrated arranged to operate in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The top 5000 of the fluid dispenseris positioned horizontally with reference to the fluid dispenser. In analternate embodiment, the cap 2000 may be positioned vertical withreference to the fluid dispenser. One cut 2008 underneath the valve 1000is shown at surface 2002 with protective ridge 2006. In a preferredembodiment, four cut are provided for passageways for air to vent thereservoir of the fluid dispenser. The cut may be equally spaced aroundthe surface 2002. The insert vent 4000 is shown inserted between theinner circular wall 2012 and the outer circular wall 2014 of the cap2000. The oliophobic vent 4004 is shown placed at one end of the insertvent 4000. The oliophobic vent 4004 may be a thin membrane insertedbetween the outer and inner housing of the insert vent 4000.

As shown in FIG. 16J, the valve 1000 may fit into the cap 2000 in orderto provide for a match with the surface 2002 of the cap 2000. A space5002 inside the inner circular wall 2012 of the cap 2000 may be open toallow for air to pass through as shown. The insert vent 4000 may beplaced underneath the valve 1000 at a distance so as not to touch thevalve 1000. A space or a small distance may be present between theoliophobic vent 4004 of the insert vent 4000 and the valve 1000 to allowfor the valve 1000 to be pressed downward. The small distance availablebetween the oliophobic vent 4004 and the lower portion of the stem 1004is substantially the amount of distance that the bulge 1006 may bedisplaced in order to allow air to pass underneath the mechanical valve1000.

The fluid in a fluid dispenser may be dispensed by movement of thebarrel. An example of a barrel is shown in FIG. 12A. Referring to FIG.16K, the fluid dispenser may be placed into a machine with a plunger6000, or other means of applying force, to press down upon the barrel ofthe fluid dispenser. When pushing on the barrel, the plunger 6000 maycontact the cap 2000 of the fluid dispenser. Thus, the plunger 6000 ofthe machine may mechanically open the valve 1000 as shown in FIG. 16K.When the plunger 6000 on the machine contacts the fluid dispenser, theplunger 6000 may first contact the top of the head 1008 of the valve1000 which is inserted into the cap 2000. Any portion of the head 1008may be contacted. In one embodiment, the plunger 6000 contacts thecenter of the head 1008 of the valve 1000 exerting a mechanical force onthe head 1008. This mechanical force in the direction perpendicular tothe head 1008 depresses the head 1008 downward. When the head 1008 ofthe valve 1000 is pressed down, this displaces the stem and itsassociated bulge 1006 as shown in FIG. 16K. The top of head 1008 isdisplaced downward until flush with protective ridge 2006 where plunger6000 then contacts protective ridge 2006.

In one embodiment, the head 1008 of the valve 1000 may be deflecteddownward because the head 1008 is made of an elastomeric material. Thehead 1008 may be deflected downward until the plunger 6000 contactsprotective ridge 2006. The contact of the annular portion 1009 of thehead 1008 with the surface 2002 does not prevent air from passingunderneath the valve 1000. Since the head 1008 of the valve 1000 may bepositioned on top of the surface 2002 of the cap 2000, air may be ableto pass underneath the valve 1000 through the cuts. The cuts on thesurface 2002 allow for passageways for air to pass underneath the valve1000. The valve 1000 contacts the surface 2002 upon mechanically openingthe valve 1000, but the cut are made in the surface 2002, and thus allowfor air to pass underneath the valve 1000.

Upon deflection of the head 1008, the head 1008 exerts a force onto thestem portion of the valve 1000. The upper portion 1002 of the valve 1000may transmit the force from the head 1008 onto the bulge 1006 whichdisplaces the bulge 1006 from the hole 2004. Once the bulge 1006 isdisplaced from the hole 2004, the valve 1000 will be open as shown inFIG. 16K. Since the hole 2004 is of a smaller diameter than the stem ofthe valve 1000, a space may be present between the upper portion 1002 ofthe stem and the outer area of the hole 2004. This may allow for thepressure in the reservoir to equilibrate with that of the surroundingatmosphere by allowing air to pass through the space 6004 between theupper portion 1002 of the stem and the outer area of the hole 2004, andsubsequently pass through the cut.

The cut on the surface 2002 of the cap 2000 allow for a passageway offree communication of air between the outer atmosphere and the inside ofthe reservoir chamber when the bulge 1006 is displaced from the hole2004. Air may pass through the cut underneath the valve 1000 because ofa pressure differential between the inside of the reservoir chamber andthe outside of the reservoir chamber. The air will move from a region ofhigher concentration of pressure to a region of a lower concentration ofpressure. In one embodiment, the pressure inside the fluid dispenser maybe higher than the pressure on the outside of the fluid dispenser. Inanother embodiment, the pressure inside the fluid dispenser may be lowerthan the pressure on the outside of the fluid dispenser. Air may passout of the fluid dispenser until the pressure inside the fluid dispenseris equal to the pressure outside the fluid dispenser.

The seal of the bulge 1006 against the hole 2004 may be re-formed todisallow air to pass underneath the valve 1000 upon removing the plunger6000 from the top of the head 1008 of the valve 1000. Once the plunger6000 is removed by the machine, the head 1008 may not be deflected, andthe head 1008 may slowly re-form due to the stored potential springenergy of the head 1008 of the valve 1000 and pull the upper potion 1002and the lower portion 1004 of the stem of the valve 1000 upward a smalldistance. When the stem is moved upward, the bulge 1006 may move upwardas well. The bulge 1006 may then become pressed against the hole 2004 ofthe cap 2000 and form a tight seal. A portion of the stem may becomecompressed upon moving the stem upward. Moreover, the bulge 1006 maybecome compressed as well upon pressing the bulge 1006 against the hole2004 to form a tight seal.

Using the elastomeric valve 1000 may seal the reservoir of the fluiddispenser. In one embodiment, a requirement of a valve is for the valveto have a dual-purpose vent. The first purpose is to allow air to passinto the reservoir to prevent a vacuum from forming as liquid isremoved. The second purpose of the vent is to allow any internalpressure that might build up inside the reservoir to equilibrate withambient pressure before the first dispense. Internal pressure is not initself a substantial problem. However, internal pressure may not betolerated when the dispenser is actuated, as the pressure would expeltoo large of a volume of liquid. The valve 1000 provides a manner ofsufficiently venting the fluid dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 17A, there is shown a cutaway view of the lowerportion of the barrel 408, duckbill check valve 416, duckbill checkvalve insert 414, quad seal 422, ball 426, ball check valve insert 424and coupler 428 of a fluid dispenser 400. The barrel 408 has protrusions408A, which mate with the coupler in order to, maintain the position ofthe barrel 408 on the upstroke. Otherwise, if the spring pushes thebarrel 408 upward too high, the seal, as provided by the quad seal 422,may be broken thereby creating an air path and causing the fluiddispenser 400 to lose prime. The barrel 408 also has a flange 408B whichmates with the stop 420 on the downstroke. The barrel 408 also has apocket 408C, where the duckbill check valve insert 414 is inserted. Thispocket acts as a funnel so that no puddles are formed at the bottom ofthe barrel 408 at the interaction point with the duckbill check valve416 or duckbill check valve insert 414, thereby minimizing waste. Thebarrel 408 also has at its lower portion a piston 454 by which fluid isexpelled in the dispenser 400. At the lower portion of FIG. 17A is anozzle cap 458 for engagement with the nozzle 430 of the coupler 428.The nozzle cap 454 and nozzle 430 are matched using a luer fittingdesign in order to be a fluid tight seal. Referring to FIG. 17B, thereis shown a cutaway view of the lower portion of the barrel, duckbillcheck valve, and duckbill check valve insert of a fluid dispenser.Referring to FIG. 17C, there is shown a cutaway view of the quad seal ofa fluid dispenser.

FIG. 17A also shows a cutaway view of the coupler 428. The coupler 428has grooves 428B in which the ball check valve insert 424 snaps. Thegrooves 428B act to prevent any leakage of fluid downward or air upwardthrough the walls of the ball check valve insert 424 and the couplerwall. The coupler 428 also has protrusions 428C, which ensure that thedispenser is aligned on the reagent tray 10. For example, if thedispenser is misaligned, the dispense cylinder may not engage thedispenser properly. The coupler also has stabilizing bumps 428D, whichreduce any rocking back and forth of the fluid dispenser 400.

Further, in an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 18A, there isshown a barrel 408 which has a lower section which acts as a piston 454at its lower end, similar to FIGS. 12A-12C. Instead of a throughhole atthe bottom of the piston 454 at the lower section of the barrel in thepiston area, there are holes 450 in the side of the piston 454 thatcontact O-ring seals 452. In this manner, when the barrel 408 is pusheddownward, the holes 450 are exposed, dispensing fluid from the reservoirchamber 410. When the barrel is returning to the up position, thepressure differential is such that the duckbill check valve 482 opensand fills the dispense chamber 410 with fluid. Because of the lack of ahigh pressure differential on the upstroke of the barrel, the duckbillcheck valve 482 in FIG. 18A is a duckbill check valve of low crackingpressure. Further, when the barrel is in the up position, the end of thepiston 454A is closed by the O-ring seals 452 thereby sealing the bottomof the barrel 408 except for the holes 450.

Referring to another alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 18B, thereis shown a barrel 408 which has a lower section which acts as a piston454 at its lower end, similar to FIG. 18A. Instead of placing O-ringseals 452 to cover the hole 450 in the lower end of the piston 454A, aquad seal 422, similar to the quad seal used in FIGS. 14A and 14B, isused.

Referring to FIG. 20, there is shown an alternative embodiment of acutaway view of the lower portion of the fluid dispenser with a cupcheck valve 792. The lower portion of the cup check valve 792 (i.e., thecup piece 794) abuts against the piston 454 of the barrel 408, therebydisallowing liquid to pass through the lower portion of the barrel 408.The upper portion of the cup check valve 792, which is composed of anupper ledge 800 and side walls 802, abuts against the duckbill checkvalve insert 414 and the side of the piston 454. The cup check valve 792operates in a manner similar to the duckbill check valve 416, as shownin FIG. 17A in that it operates based on a pressure differential. Duringthe downstroke of the barrel 408, the cup piece 794 of the cup checkvalve 792 remains rigid so that the piston, and the cup piece, push theliquid out of the dispense chamber 412. During the upstroke of thebarrel 408, the ball 434 in the ball chamber 432 seats against the checkvalve ball insert 424, as described in FIG. 13A, creating a vacuum inthe dispense chamber. This vacuum creates a pressure in the dispensechamber and in the adjacent piston area of the barrel 408, causing thecup piece 794 of the cup check valve 792 to flex inward, so that the cuppiece 794 does not abut against the piston 454. When this occurs, fluidin the reservoir chamber is allowed to pass around the cup check valve792 and into the dispense chamber. The cup piece 794 is flexed inwarduntil the pressure equalizes between the dispense chamber and reservoirchamber. As such, the dispense chamber receives fluid on the upstroke ofthe barrel 408. For better flexing effect due to the vacuum caused inthe dispense chamber, the cup piece 794 of the cup check valve 792should sit low in the piston 454 of the barrel 408. In this manner, theless area under the cup, the more suction effect caused by the vacuum.

Referring to FIG. 21 A, there is shown a side view of the cup checkvalve 792. The cup piece 794 spreads outward at angle of approximately71° from the horizontal. However, the cup piece 794 may be curvedoutward or inward, depending on the flexing needs of the cup piece 794.Moreover, the upper ledge 800 and side walls 802 are formed to abutagainst the duckbill check valve insert 414 and the side of the piston454. This upper piece may be of such a form in order to be held securelyin place.

Referring to FIG. 21B, there is shown a bottom view of the cup checkvalve 792. The bottom 796 is round, in order to abut the round sidewallsof the piston 454. The bottom of the cup check valve 792 may be anyshape that forms against the surface abutting it, in this case, thepiston 454.

Referring to FIG. 21C, there is shown a top view of the cup check valve792. The top 798 is round, in order to abut the round sidewalls of theduckbill check valve insert 414. The top of the cup check valve 792 maybe any shape that forms against the surface abutting it, in this case,the duckbill check valve insert 414.

Referring to FIGS. 21D and 21E, there are shown views of the cup checkvalve 792 at cross-sections A-A and B-B in FIG. 21 C, respectively. Thecup piece 794 of the cup check valve 792 is forked for ease of flexing.The thickness and shape of the cup piece 794 may be varied depending onthe flexing needs of the cup piece. Further, the connecting piece 804may be any shape that connects the upper piece of the cup check valve792 to the cup piece 794. In the preferred embodiment, the connectingpiece 804 is cylindrical so as not to interfere with the flow of fluidthrough the piston 454.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a means bywhich to transfer data from the manufacturer to the customer. Themanufacturer uses a manufacturing database in order to maintain a recordof reagents, master lots, and serial numbers for kits and dispensers.The manufacturing database is an Interbase (client/server) databasecontained in a single file. The manufacturing database definitionconsists of domains, tables, views, and triggers. Domains define thevariable types and requirements used in tables. Tables define the datathat is stored for each record. Views (meta-tables) are accessed astables but do not contain data. The views collect data from tables.Triggers are programs that are executed on the Interbase server inresponse to defined events.

Information is stored on the database to define kits (which containseveral dispensers) or single dispensers. Each package, whether a kit ora dispenser, will include a barcode identifying the contents. For kits,the barcode will contain the part number, master lot number and serialnumber. For single dispensers, the barcode will contain the part number,lot number and serial number. Serial numbers are assigned to kitssequentially for each master lot starting at 1 (i.e., the first kitcreated from each master lot will be assigned serial #1). The packagebarcodes are separate from the barcodes that appear on the individualdispensers within the package. In particular, in the case of a singledispenser package, the serial on the package barcode label need notmatch the serial number of the single dispenser contained in thepackage.

The barcode is encoded with the Code 128 Symbology. The plain textinterpretation of the barcode is to appear as standard ASCII text belowthe barcode. This allows for operator verification of the data obtainedby scanning. The three fields on the package label will be fixed inlength and combined into a single barcode by concatenation. For thedispensers, one of the fields is a 4 digit product code, whichdetermines the contents of the dispenser, and another one of the fieldsis a serial number. The serial number is unique to the type of dispenser(i.e., the serial number for each dispenser of a certain type isincremented by one). By scanning in these two fields, the device thatprograms the touch memory device, which is described subsequently,recognizes the type of dispenser. Moreover, the host device, whichobtains the scanned code from the barcode reader on the remote device,which is described subsequently, also determines the type of thedispenser based on the barcode. For a barcode on a kit, there is a fieldthat corresponds to a particular kit form, so that, when the kit barcodeis scanned in, the computer determines, through a look-up table, theparticular kit form associated with the kit barcode, as describedsubsequently.

Referring to FIG. 22, there is shown a block diagram of themanufacturer's system for programming an external memory device. Themanufacturing computer 500 is a typical personal computer, with aprocessor 502 including a comparator 504, and memory 506 including RAM508 and ROM 510. As described subsequently, the processor 502 is incommunication with a barcode scanner 512 and a memory device 516 such asan EPROM (erasable programmable read only memory). In the preferredembodiment, the processor 502 is in communication with the memory device516 via a memory wand 514, as described subsequently.

As described in Appendix A, there is software that implements theacquisition of data from registration tables, and stores the data intoan external memory device. Referring to FIG. 23, there is shown a flowchart for updating the forms on the manufacturers database. The formsare used as templates for the manufacturing database for kits,dispensers, dispenser models, etc., which are later entered to programthe touch memory device. The forms include reagents, dispenser models,dispensers, kits and filled kits. For example, in the reagent form, dataabout a particular reagent, such as the reagent name, group name, etc.may be entered. The dispenser models include user fillable andprefillable dispensers. Referring to FIG. 23, the operator is asked ifhe or she wishes to update the reagent form 522. If so, themanufacturing database determines if the reagent form is new or old 524.If new, a blank template is displayed for the operator to enter data526. If a reagent form is to be modified, the reagent template isdisplayed 528, 530. The contents are entered or modified and the datasaved to the database 532, 534. Likewise, the forms may be modified forthe dispenser form, which includes data on the part number, reagent,code, whether the dispenser is prefillable, the dispenser model, whetherthe reagent is active, etc. The operator is prompted whether the form isnew 540, and if new a blank template is displayed 542. If old, theprevious dispenser forms are displayed 544 and the user selects a form546. Data is entered 548 and saved 550. The forms may be modified forthe kit configuration as well. The kit configuration includes data onthe dispensers included in a kit sent to the end user. This informationincludes the part number, the description of the kit, whether thedispensers in the kit are active, the number of reagents in the kit, anddata on the dispensers in the kit. The operator is prompted whether theform is new 556, and if new a blank template is displayed 558. If old,the previous dispenser forms are displayed 560 and the user selects aform 562. Data is entered 564 and saved 566. The forms interact with oneanother for ease of updating. For example, if the dispenser model ismodified, the dispenser form, which is dependent on the dispenser model,is modified as well. Further, if the dispenser is modified, so is thekit configuration, which in turn depends on the dispenser.

The updating of the master lot and entering data into the memory deviceis shown in the flow chart in FIG. 24. The master lot form supportsassignment of master lot numbers to predefined kits, as well as lotnumbers and expiration dates to each of the dispensers in the kit. Theexpiration date of the kit is the earliest of the expiration dates ofthe dispensers in that kit. If the operator wishes to update the masterlot 570, the manufacturing database determines if the master lot is oldor new 572. If new, the list of kits is displayed 574 and a blanktemplate for the user selected kit 576. If old, the previous master lotis listed 578 and the user selected master lot is displayed 580. Data isentered for the master lot 582 and then saved 584.

Once the forms are set, the operator may begin to program the touchmemory device 588. In the preferred embodiment, the memory device 576 isan EPROM such as the Dallas Semiconductor DS 1985 F5 16 Kbit add-onlytouch memory device. Other memory devices may be used to store theinformation and allow the end user to retrieve the information. Forexample, diskettes may be used as memory devices.

First, the package bar code labels are scanned 590. A Welsh AllynScanteam 5400/5700 hand held scanner is used. The scanner need only beconfigured once to identify the hardware platform and bar codesymbology. The scanner is programmed to send a ‘!’ as a prefix characterand also a ‘!’ as a suffix character. The prefix is used todifferentiate input from the scanner from input from the keyboard. Thesuffix is used to identify completion of acquisition.

Based on the information scanned from the package, the kit type isdetermined based on the information in the kit forms 592. In analternative embodiment, the user is prompted to enter the type of kit.Based on this information, the computer determines the kit type.

The barcodes for each of the dispensers in the package is then scanned594. Information in the kit form is compared with the informationscanned in 596. For example, the number of dispensers in the package ischecked. If the number is too high or too low, the user is notified andthe memory device is not programmed. Further, if the type of thedispensers in the package does not match the type of dispensers in thekit form, the user is notified and the memory device is not programmed.This is one of the methods to increase the quality control. If there wasan error in the packaging of the package, (e.g., an incorrect dispenserwas placed in the package), the user will be notified to correct theproblem 598.

If the number and type of dispensers are correct, the database collectsall data necessary for the current kit and dispensers 602. The touchmemory data is programmed into the touch memory device using objectoriented programming. To do this, a touch_memory object is created whichcontains the form in which the memory will be stored 604. The data forthe current kit and dispensers is written to the touch_memory objectbuffers 606. Finally, the touch_memory object buffers are transferred tothe touch memory device 608.

In order to program or read the touch memory device, a probe (DallasSemiconductor DS9092GT) mounted in a hand held wand 514 is used. Thiswand 514 is attached to the serial port of the manufacturing computer500 programming the touch memory device 516 through a DallasSemiconductor DS9097 or DS9097E serial port (DB-25) adapter. In analternative embodiment that uses a diskette as a memory device, a diskdrive is used to transfer the data on the memory device to the computer500.

At the end user, the memory device accompanies the kit or singledispenser. Referring to FIG. 25, there is shown a flow chart fordownloading data from a memory device to the host system. The probe isfirst connected to the touch memory device 612. The contents of thetouch memory device are downloaded to the host computer 614 anddisplayed to the user 616. It is then determined whether the touchmemory device has been downloaded previously 618. This is done based onthe contents of the touch memory device. If the memory contents werepreviously downloaded, a flag is set in the memory contents. Therefore,this kit has already been “used” and therefore should not bereprocessed. The user is prompted whether he or she wants to update theuser's databases with the kit/dispenser data 624. If so, the probe isreconnected to the touch memory device 626, verified that it is the sametouch memory device by comparing the current downloading with theprevious download of data 630. The flag indicating that the touch memorydevice is “used” is set inside the memory device 628. In this manner, amemory device may be downloaded only once for purposes of security. Thecontents of the user's databases are updated with information containedin the touch memory device such as name, type, group, lot, serialnumber, characteristics, quantity, expiration dates for the reagents,and the usable life, maximum volume, dead volume and registration datefor the dispenser 632.

Regulations require that a user must maintain a database of the fluidsused in staining. Prior to this invention, users were required tomanually input data into the database. This process was not onlytime-consuming, but also prone to error. In contrast, the currentinvention uses information in the touch memory device to update therequired database.

The user database, which is required by the regulations, containsvarious tables including the registration, receive and quality controltables for use by the operator. Within each of the registration, receiveand quality control tables, there are five different types ofcategories: (1) antibodies; (2) reagents; (3) kits; (4) consumables, and(5) control slides. Antibodies are chemicals that have living cellswithin which attach to the patient's tissue. Reagents are non-antibodychemicals that typically contain no living material. Kits, as describedabove, contain various combinations of dispensers. Consumables arematerials such as the Liquid Coverslip™, wash buffer, etc. Each of thesematerials are regulated in different manners, thereby requiringdifferent information contained within the registration, receive andquality control tables. For example, since antibodies are livingmaterial, they are regulated more highly and therefore requireadditional information in the tables.

The registration table contains the background information for thespecific material. For example, the registration table contains the nameof the material (antibody, reagent, kit, consumable, or control slide),the manufacturer, the clone number (for antibodies) and otherinformation describing the material. As described previously, one fieldin the dispenser barcode is the type of dispenser. This information isprogrammed into the touch memory device, which is subsequentlydownloaded to the registration table. Therefore, when the barcodes forthe dispensers are scanned in preparation for a run, as describedsubsequently, the registration table is used to determine what type offluid is contained in the dispenser. This table is updated only when thematerial is first received.

The receive table is a table which records each time when a certainmaterial is received and the expiration date of that material as well asother information specific to this lot of material including the serialnumber. Therefore, while the registration table may describe theproperties of a certain antibody, the receive table will describe onwhich dates each dispenser of that antibody was received, the expirationdate for that antibody, the serial number and the lot number. Thisinformation is used not only to generate reports that are required byregulation, but also to check for the expiration date of the chemicalduring a run, which is described subsequently.

The quality control table records when a particular chemical wasvalidated. Regulations require that when a new chemical or when a newlot for a previously received chemical is received, the lab must checkto make sure the material performs in the expected manner (i.e., thematerial was processed correctly and not damaged in shipment). Todetermine if the material is “acceptable” to use in testing on patienttissue samples, end users have tissue samples that are known to testpositive with undamaged reagents. The quality control table will trackwhether the chemical was tested for effectiveness and which tissuesample was used to test the chemical. In this manner, the tables, whichare generated in large part by information from the touch memory, allowthe end user to comply with the regulations without the need for timeconsuming data entry.

Other tables are used during a run which provide for better qualityassurance in testing. For example, there is a dispenser table thatcontains, for each dispenser, the pertinent information for qualityassurance during a run. For example, for each dispenser with acorresponding barcode (which contains the serial number for thedispenser), the table contains the expiration date, and the number ofdrops in the dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 26, there is shown a flow chart for updating theregistration, receive and quality control tables on the host computerfor use by the operator. Based on the data in the touch memory device,the computer determines whether the touch memory holds kit information,prefilled antibody information or prefilled reagent information. Inparticular, the computer may examine the format of the data in the touchmemory device and determine what type of data the touch memory objectholds. In the alternative, the touch memory device may specificallystate whether the data relates to kit information, prefilled antibodyinformation or prefilled reagent information. In particular, one of thefields in the touch memory device signifies what is the type ofinformation.

Dispenser/kit information is read from the touch memory device. Thecomputer determines if the touch memory device holds kit information638. If so, the touch memory device searches the registration table todetermine if the kit was previously received 640. If the kit was notreceived previously, the registration table must be updated with the kitregistration information (i.e. background information) such asmanufacturer and catalog number 642. This kit registration informationis obtained from the touch memory device. The individual dispenserinformation within the kit, also obtained from the touch memory device,is updated in the dispenser table including the serial number, productcode, master lot number, total dispenses (by number of drops) andexpiration date 644.

The receive table is also updated to include the receive date, lotnumber, serial number, and receiver 646. The receive date is generatedbased on the date in the host device processor and the serial number isobtained from the touch memory device. The receiver field in the receivetable is the person that has input the data from the touch memorydevice. In the preferred embodiment, the host device 32 determines whois currently logged on to the host device and writes the user's name asthe receiver.

The quality control table is searched to determine if there is an entryin the table for this kit's lot number (i.e., if this is a new kit or anew kit lot number) 648. If the kit lot number (as obtained from thetouch memory device) has already been quality control tested, the useris informed that this has already been done 650. If not, the user isinformed that a quality control test must be performed 676. In analternative embodiment, a separate look-up table is used to select knowntissue samples to test the effectiveness of a received chemicalreceived. Based on the chemical received, the known tissue samples aresuggested to the user to test the effectiveness of the chemical in orderto update the quality control table.

The computer determines if the touch memory device holds prefilledantibody information 652. If so, the touch memory device searches theregistration table to determine if the antibody information waspreviously received 654. If the antibody information was not receivedpreviously, the registration table is updated with the antibodyregistration information (located in the touch memory device) such asname, manufacturer, catalog number, clone, Img subclass, presentation,and species 656. The individual dispenser information is also updated inthe dispenser table including the serial number, product code, masterlot number, total dispenses (by number of drops) and expiration date658. The receive table is updated to include the receive date (asdetermined from the host device), lot number, serial number, andreceiver 660. The quality control table is searched to determine ifthere is an entry in the table for this antibody lot number (i.e., ifthis is a new antibody or a new antibody lot number) 662. If theantibody lot number has already been quality control tested, the user isinformed that this has already been done 650. If not, the user isinformed that a quality control test must be performed 676.

The computer determines if the touch memory device holds prefilledreagent information 664. If so, the touch memory device searches theregistration table to determine if the reagent information waspreviously received 666. If the reagent information was not receivedpreviously, the registration table is updated with the reagentregistration information (located in the touch memory device) such asname, manufacturer, and catalog number 668. The individual dispenserinformation (located in the touch memory device) is updated in thedispenser table including the serial number, product code, master lotnumber, total dispenses (by number of drops) and expiration date 670.The receive table is updated with information from the touch memorydevice to include the receive date, lot number, serial number, andreceiver 672. The quality control table is searched to determine ifthere is an entry in the table for this reagent lot number (i.e., ifthis is a new reagent or new reagent lot number) 674. If the reagent lotnumber has already been quality control tested, the user is informedthat this has already been done 650. If not, the user is informed that aquality control test must be performed 676.

The computer determines if the touch memory device holds customerfillable dispenser information 678. If so, the individual dispenserinformation (located in the touch memory device) is input including theserial number, product code, master lot number, total dispenses,expiration date, dispenser drop life, maximum volume, dead volume andpriming waste 680. In an alternative embodiment, the user is prompted toinput the amount of liquid, in milliliters, which is placed in thedispenser. This amount in milliliters is converted into a number ofdrops and stored in the table. The user may, at a later time, fill theuser fillable dispenser and, at that later time, update the dispensertable with the amount of fluid put in the dispenser.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the host device performsa series of checks using the information from the touch memory.Referring to FIG. 27, there is shown a flow chart for determining if thekit/dispensers for use by the operator is the correct number and correctcomplement, similar to the check performed while programming the touchmemory device, as described in FIG. 24. The kit barcode information fromthe touch memory is read to determine the type of kit and dispenserscontained in the package 682, 684. Based on this barcode information,there is a look-up table which describes the number of reagents in thekit and the type or complement of reagents in the kit. This historicalinformation in the look-up table is compared with what was actually sentin the package. If there is a discrepancy as to the number of dispensersin the kit or in the type of reagents in the kit 686, 688, the user isnotified and the user's database is not updated with the kit barcodeinformation 690. In this manner, checking whether the proper dispenserswere included in the kit may increase the quality control.

After the downloading of the data from the touch memory device, the hostdevice 32 and remote devices 166 may execute a run. As describedpreviously, the host device 32 and remote devices 166 are modular indesign. The host handles higher level system functions whereas theremote devices 166 perform the execution of the steps for staining. Thismodularity of design utilizing a personal computer as a host device 32is beneficial in several respects. First, the host computer can be usedto start runs on other remote devices 166. Second, the host device 32can periodically update the software more efficiently on the remotedevice 166 based on upgrades in the operating system. For example, thelowest level code in the remote devices 166, which handles the basicinput and output for the remote device 166 and the execution ofprograms, may be updated based on changes in error messaging, changes inoutput device design (such as different types of valves), and changes inthe messaging protocols between the host and the remote. Third, themodularity multiplies the number of staining modules that may be run bya single machine. Fourth, since the host device 32 is comprised, in thepreferred embodiment, of a personal computer, the host machine may beeasily upwardly compatible, as opposed to previous standalone stainingmodules. Further, the personal computer can be integrated with a networkenvironment to integrate with other computers. For example, there is atrend in hospitals to standardize the computer hardware used and tointerconnect the computer hardware. The host device 32 may be connectedto a hospital network, receiving commands from other computers on thenetwork to execute a staining run, described subsequently, or sendingresults of a run to another computer on the network. Fifth, the hostdevice 32 may serve as a platform through which various staining modulesmay be integrated. For example, there are various types of stainingmodules, some of which use dispensers versus vials, some of which usehorizontal slide trays versus vertical slide trays, etc. The host device32 may be integrated with a variety of staining modules, downloadingprograms to the different modules, described subsequently, depending onthe particular configuration of the module. Sixth, the remote device166, as a modular piece in the automated biological reaction system, maybe serviced more easily. Instead of having a large machine dedicated tostaining, the remote device 166 is smaller and can be shipped throughthe mail easily. In this manner, when an end user has difficulty with aremote device 166, the user may receive a second remote device throughthe mail, and send the faulty remote device back to be fixed. Therefore,the user need not rely on on-site maintenance for the remote device, andthe attendant cost associated with on-site maintenance.

The host device may execute three different types of runs. The first runis a test run, which is described subsequently. The second run is asystem run, whereby the remote device 166 reads the barcodes for theslides or the dispensers, or other non-staining functions required tosetup a staining run. The third run is a staining run whereby the remotedevice 166 stains the slides. The second and third runs are described inFIG. 28. When executing a run, the host downloads a sequence of steps ina run program to the remote device 166. The run program is comprised oftwo separate pieces: (1) a main program (defined as macro 0); and (2)subroutines (defined as macros 1-255). The main program is composed of,but is not necessarily limited to, calls to the subroutines. Therefore,the entire length of the run program through calls to subroutines isless than a line by line execution of the entire program. For example,if a subroutine is called 50 times, the main program calls thesubroutine 50 times rather than downloading a program which includes thecode for the subroutine 50 times. In addition, the subroutines aredefined by a programming language of thirty-one low-level commands whichperform basic functions on the remote such as checking the timer,turning on an output such as a valve or a heater, or moving thecarousel. When downloading the run program, the macros are downloaded asneeded to execute a single run.

In addition to downloading a run program, the host device 32 downloadsthe sensor monitoring and control logic called the run rules. Thisprogram is made up of a series of continuous checks that must be doneduring the execution of the run program. As discussed previously, one ofthe checks is the upper and lower limit of the temperature of theslides. If, during a run, the environmental temperature is below thelower limit, as indicated by slide temperature monitoring sensor 68, theslide heater 302 is turned on. Likewise, if the environmentaltemperature is above the upper limit, as indicated by slide temperaturemonitoring sensor 68, the slide heater 302 is turned off. Another runrule relates to the opening of a system door. Additional run rulesrelate to the environment in which the remote device 166 executes therun. If any of the sensors are outside of the boundaries sent by the runrules, the remote device 166 sends a message which is retrieved by thehost device 32. As discussed generally in FIG. 5C with respect toplacing messages in the queue, the first priority is the execution ofthe steps in the run program. In addition to this, where spareprocessing is available, the host device 32 polls the remote device 166for status. The host device 32 does this approximately every 1½ secondsto receive the status of the remote device 166 including the currenttemperature of the remote device 166, current step number beingprocessed in the run program, elapsed time of the run, and any errorsduring the run. The host device 32 makes a record of any anomaliesduring the remote device run and prints the final report at the end ofthe run.

An example of a staining run is shown in flow chart form in FIG. 28. Inpreparation for a run, the operator determines the type of staining forthe particular slides. Each slide has a barcode attached to it. Based onthis barcode, the operator may program the type of staining. In order toassist the operator, the host device provides a set of recipes. Forexample, one test is a DAB paraffin test. Because this test is commonlyused, the user may assign the barcode for the particular slide to thatrecipe thereby choosing the particular steps to perform the test. Inaddition, some of the recipes require the operator to enter certainparameters, called protocols. For example a protocol may be the specifictemperature for the test or the time period for heating. In contrast tothe protocols, the recipes define steps which the user does not control.For example, turning on valves, heating the slides, etc. are operationswhich the users cannot alter. In an alternative embodiment, each barcodeon a slide may be standardized In order to simplify the procedure. Forexample, if the staining for the slide is to test for prostate cancer, aparticular field within the barcode is placed on that slide which isused for every slide which is to be tested for prostate cancer. In thatmanner, the user is not required to enter a recipe for the particularslide, but rather the reading of the barcode determines the type oftest.

After the operator has entered the recipes and protocols correspondingto each slide barcode for the staining run, step 695 in FIG. 28, thehost device 32 may prepare for a staining run.

After the inputting of the recipes and the protocols, and prior toexecuting a run, the operator is prompted by the host device 32 (696).The host device first questions whether there is sufficient buffersolution in the wash buffer bottle 246, whether there is sufficientLiquid Coverslip™ in the Liquid Coverslip™ bottle 244, whether the levelof waste in the waste tub 254 is acceptable, and whether the reagentsand reagent tray 10 is loaded. The operator is then prompted for thenumber of slides that are loaded on the slide tray.

The first run is a system run to read the barcode on the slides. Theoperator then begins the run by downloading the file of steps to readthe barcode on the slides and to wait for the host device 32 to retrievethe barcode 697. The remote device reads a barcode on the slide 698,stores the barcode in a file 699, to be used subsequently, then waitsfor the host device 32 to retrieve the barcode and retrigger the remotedevice 166 to read another barcode on the slide 700. The remote device166 does this until the last slide is read 702.

The second run is another system run wherein the host device 32downloads the run program and run rules in order to read the barcodes onthe dispensers 704. Similar to the first system run, the remote device166 reads a barcode on the dispenser 706, stores the barcode in a file707 to be used subsequently, then waits for the host device 32 toretrieve the barcode and retrigger the remote device 166 to read anotherbarcode on the dispenser 708. The remote device 166 does this until thelast dispenser is read 710.

The host device 32 then reads the slide barcodes already stored in thefile 712. If the number of entries in the file is different from thenumber previously entered by the operator (696), as performed in theloop at step 698, an error message is generated 730. This is done sincethe barcode reader, at times, may not read one of the barcodes on theslide. In that case, the run is stopped.

The host device 32 then reads the barcodes for the reagents alreadystored in the database 716. Based on the barcodes, the host device loadsthe protocols for the slides from the database. For each specificrecipe, there are a series of macros which are to be executed by theremote device 166. In the case of a DAB paraffin test, a look-up tableindicates the series of steps or macros. As discussed previously, thereare macros from 1 to 255 which define basic operations of the remotedevice 166. For the specific task of a DAB paraffin test, the look-uptable includes all the necessary macros, in the proper sequence, toperform the test. Based on these macros, the host device 32 determinesthe types of reagents and amount of drops required to execute the steps714. Moreover, in creating the run program, calls to the macros areincluded in macro 0 and macros 1-255 which are to be called are includedafter macro 0. All the protocols for the particular recipes are loadedand determined if they exist in the database 718. Those protocols werepreviously entered at step 695. If so, the host device loads data fromthe dispense table 720 and determines if all of the dispensers arepresent and loaded 722. If so, the recipes are loaded from the database724. The host device 32 then verifies that the recipes can be runtogether 726 (i.e., whether there are any procedures which areincompatible or unsynchronized). For example, if there are two recipeswhich dictate the temperature of the slides (where the slides are inclose proximity), and the temperatures are different, the two recipescannot be executed; therefore, an error message is generated 730. Thesteps for the run are then computed 728. Because there are severalslides being tested, and each slide has a series of steps associatedwith it, the host device 32 generates the run program which can executeall the steps for all of the slides. The host device 32 is constrainedby being able, for example, to mix with the vortex mixers 271 at acertain station on the slide carousel 24, to dual rinse at a certainstation, to add fluid at the volume adjust, etc. Based on theseconstraints, the run program is generated which tells the remote toexecute the steps in the proper sequence at the proper station 728.

The host device 32 determines if there are multiple dispensers of thesame reagent 732. If so, an error message is generated since, forquality control purposes, dispensers from the same kit may only be usedin a run. In addition, if a step requires applying two differentreagents at the same station, the host device 32 requires that thereagents be next to each other. Otherwise, it would take too long tomove the carousel and dispense both reagents. As a guideline, each stepshould be performed within 6 seconds in order to speed up the process ofstaining.

The host device 32 then determines if this is a titration run 734. In auser filled dispenser, the user may wish to test varying concentrationsof reagent in the fluid dispenser. If so, the user executes a titrationrun whereby the user is allowed, via the program, to stop the run in themiddle and titrate different concentrations. The amount of time for thetitrations must be short enough so that the slide will not dry out 736.Otherwise, an error message is generated 750. The macro functions areloaded from a database for the run 738 and determined if all the macrofunctions loaded properly 740. The host device 32 determines, based onthe dispenser table, whether any of the dispensers are past theexpiration date 742. If so, the operator is notified 744. Similarly, thedispenser table is checked to determine if the dispensers havesufficient fluid to conduct the run 746. If not, the operator isnotified to refill or replace the dispensers 748. Optionally, qualitycontrol can be checked to determine if all of the dispensers have beentested under quality control protocols 752.

Therefore, the host device 32 looks up in the dispenser table 716,described in FIG. 26, to determine if the reagents necessary (1) arepast their expiration date; (2) are present to perform the run; (3) haveenough drops in the dispensers to execute the run; or, optionally, (4)have been tested for quality control. If any of the first threeconditions fail, the run cannot be executed and the operator is notified(i.e., one of the dispensers is past its expiration date, one of thedispensers is missing, or one of the dispensers is low on fluid).

Optionally, for quality control purposes, the dispenser table issearched to determine if quality control was performed on the dispenser752. If it has not yet performed, the operator is notified 754 and askedif he or she wishes to proceed 756. If the operator wishes to proceed,he or she must enter his or her name, and the date and time in order tocontinue the run 758. Finally, when the run is executed, the informationentered by the operator is included in the history of the run, describedpreviously, to indicate that at least one of the dispensers had not beentested in compliance with the regulations, but that the run wasperformed anyway 760. In this manner, the quality of the run may beincreased due to monitoring of the dispensers used in the testing of thetissue samples. The host device 32 then saves the dispense data for therun to a database 762 and merges the run rules, which determine theoperating environment of the run, together for the run 764. The hostdevice 32 downloads the run program and the run rules for the currentstaining procedure 766. The host device 32 commands the remote to runthe steps and to run the checks or the run rules 768. The host device 32then updates the tables based on the execution of the run. For example,the host device 32 decrements the number of drops in the dispenser tablefor each of the dispensers used in the run 769. As discussed previously,the host device 32 periodically checks the status of the remote device770. After the remote device 166 finishes execution of the run program772, the host device 32 compiles the history of the run and stores theinformation sent from the remote 774.

The host device 32 also communicates with the remote devices 166 byreading and writing information regarding the operation of the remotedevices 166. For example, the host device 32 downloads a commandindicating to the remote device the amount of time (in 10's ofmilliseconds) the valve 248G for the volume adjust line is on. Thisvalue is stored in non-volatile RAM on the remote device 166. Further,the host device 32 may poll the remote device 166 to send its storedvalue for the volume adjust time stored in non-volatile RAM. Otherinformation, such as the slide temperature monitoring sensor 68, bufferheater temperature sensor 66 and system pressure transducer 290, asdescribed in FIG. 6A, may be read by the host device 32 and may becalibrated by the host device 32. When reading the sensor informationfrom the remote device 166, the calibration data is sent back to thehost. Calibration data is used to adjust for constant errors inherent ineach temperature sensor and pressure transducer. In order to correct forerrors, the host device 32 writes to the remote device 166. For example,when calibrating the pressure sensor, the host device 32 commands theremote device 166 to perform span calibration of the system pressuretransducer 290 at the preset pressure of 13.0 psi. The remote device 166registers the current raw pressure as the 13.0 psi analog to digitalpoint.

Referring to FIG. 29, there is shown a flow chart of the testing run forthe remote device. One of the commands or steps downloaded to the remotedevice is a test command 776. The remote processes the commands in therun program 778 until the remote device 166 receives the test command780. The remote device 166 then waits until a button 295 is pressed onthe remote device 782, as described in reference to FIG. 6A. When thebutton 295 is pressed, the remote device 166 re-executes the runprogram, and then waits for the button 295 to be depressed again. Inthis manner, the operator may test individual steps or commands bypressing the button 295 and re-executing the previous set of commands.In an alternative embodiment, the remote device 166 interprets the testmode as a means by which to single step through the program. Every timethe button 295 is pressed, the remote device 166 executes a command. Inthis manner, the operator may step through the run program and determineif there are any errors in the sequence of steps.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be appreciated thatnumerous changes and modifications can be made to the aspects of theinvention without departure from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. This true spirit and scope of the invention is defined by theappended claims, to be interpreted in light of the foregoingspecification.

1. A fluid dispenser comprising in combination: a barrel having a cap,the cap having a surface with at least one hole; and a valve having abiasing member and a hole sealer, the biasing member having at least twopositions, wherein in a first position of the biasing member, the holesealer seals the hole and wherein in a second position, the hole sealerdoes not seal the hole, and wherein a force places the biasing member inat least one of the two positions.
 2. The fluid dispenser of claim 1,further comprising a passageway from the hole to outside the fluiddispenser.
 3. The fluid dispenser of claim 2, wherein the passagewayincludes breaks.
 4. The fluid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the holesealer is a bulge substantially spherical in shape.
 5. The fluiddispenser of claim 1, wherein the biasing member has an umbrella shapewith a flat surface, the periphery of the flat surface contacting thecap.
 6. The fluid dispenser of claim 5, further including breaks,wherein the breaks are abutting at least a portion of the flat surfaceof the biasing member, and provide a fluid path.
 7. The fluid dispenserof claim 1, further comprising a vent inside the barrel.
 8. The fluiddispenser of claim 7, wherein the vent comprises an oliophobic material.9. The fluid dispenser of claim 7, wherein the barrel comprises areservoir chamber and wherein the vent allows air into the reservoirchamber.
 10. The fluid dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least a portionof the valve is comprised of an elastomeric material.
 11. The fluiddispenser of claim 1, wherein the force is mechanical.
 12. A method ofequilibrating pressure within a fluid dispenser comprising the steps of:providing a fluid dispenser with a barrel having a cap, the cap having asurface with at least one hole, and a valve having a biasing member anda hole sealer, the biasing member having at least two positions; andplacing the biasing member in one of the two positions by applying aforce to the valve, wherein in a first position of the biasing member,the hole sealer seals the hole and wherein in a second position, thehole sealer does not seal the hole.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe force places the biasing member in the second position.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the force places the biasing member in thefirst position.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the biasing memberis a shaped surface with a top, and wherein the mechanical force isapplied at the top.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprisingproviding a passageway for air between inside and outside of the barrelwhen the barrel is in the second position.
 17. The method of claim 12,wherein the barrel includes a reservoir chamber, and wherein the fluiddispenser further comprises a vent inside the barrel, and wherein thevent allows air into the reservoir chamber.
 18. The method of claim 12,wherein placing the biasing member in one of the two positions includesapplying a mechanical force.
 19. A method of mechanically operating avalve for a fluid dispenser, the valve having a head and a bulge, themethod comprising the steps of: abutting the bulge against a hole in thefluid dispenser to create a seal; applying a mechanical force to movethe head so that the bulge does not abut the hole; and reducing themechanical force so that the bulge abuts the hole.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the head includes a biasing member and wherein thestep of abutting is performed by the biasing member.
 21. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the step of reducing the mechanical force includesremoving the mechanical force thereby creating the seal between thebulge and the hole.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the head has acenter portion, and wherein the mechanical force is applied to thecenter portion of the head.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the stepof applying a mechanical force to the head creates an opening betweenthe bulge and the hole to allow a passageway between inside the fluiddispenser and outside the fluid dispenser.
 24. The method of claim 19,wherein the barrel includes a reservoir chamber, and wherein the fluiddispenser further comprises a vent inside the barrel, and wherein thevent allows air into the reservoir chamber.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein the vent prevents liquid from leaving the reservoir chamber.